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Ainslie now Britain's most successful Olympic sailor as he closes on gold
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15 August 2008
Ben Ainslie put a frustratingly long weather delay behind him to further stamp his authority on the Finn class at the Olympic sailing regatta, finishing second in race eight to sew up at least a silver medal.
Light shifting winds off Qingdao saw the competition delayed for nearly four hours before racing finally got under way at 3:45pm with the Finn boats to get first started.
Taking a back seat: Ben Ainslie gets a ride back to the marina from Finn coach Jez Fanstone
Ainslie took the early lead and was 30 seconds ahead at the second mark but was caught on the second windward leg and had to settle for second, eight seconds behind the winning Spanish boat.
However, poor results for Zach Railey of the United States, who was 19th and Guillaume Florent of France, who finished 21st saw the Briton sew up at least a silver, ensuring that he will surpass Rodney Pattison as Britain's most successful Olympic sailor with a fourth medal tomorrow.
Ainslie leads the standings with 21 points, 12 ahead of Railey, and would clinch a gold medal for the third consecutive Games if he finishes no more than six places behind the American in tomorrow's medal race.
But while Ainslie is in a comfortable position, the crew of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson face a battle in their double-points medal race after only managing fifth place in race eight in the Yngling class.
The reigning two-time world champions came home 52 seconds behind the Netherlands, trimming their lead in the standings to only one point.
However with the United States finishing down in 10th place, Team GB is guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the Yngling event tomorrow.
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