Ben Ainslie: "I had to be at my best"

Ben Ainslie has claimed that selection for next year's Great British Olympic sailing team was one of the hardest processes he has experienced.

The 34-year-old has been chosen to participate in the Finn event and has admitted that the chance to compete in London is "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

"Previous qualification experiences helped, but at the same time having the Olympics in the UK puts that added bit of pressure on," Ainslie told BBC Sport.

"We all want to compete on home waters because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"The competition was strong. Having four top GB sailors battling for qualification meant I had to be at my best in every race."

Ainslie will be looking to secure his fourth successive gold medal at the Games following triumphs in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.