The 30-year-old Ainslie staked his claim for a place in Beijing by winning the Sydney International Regatta in the Finn class ahead of rival Ed Wright last month.

The triple Olympic sailing medallist won six of the eight races in Australia to finish clear of the field.

 

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) had reserved judgment on who to send to Beijing in the Finn because Ainslie has barely raced in the dinghy for the past three years after choosing to focus on the America’s Cup.

 

His victory in Sydney was coupled with back to back wins at the two Olympic Test Regattas at Qingdao in 2006 and 2007 and sealed his nomination to compete at a fourth Olympic Games.

 

Already the owner of a silver medal from Atlanta 1996 as well as golds from the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games, Ainslie looks set to be one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians to be competing in Beijing, and he’s relishing the challenge of going for his third straight Olympic gold.

 

“It is fantastic news to be chosen to defend my Olympic Finn title in Beijing, and I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to once again represent my country at the Olympics,” said Ainslie.

 

Simon Clegg, the chief executive of the BOA and the Chef de Mission for Britain's team in Beijing, said: “Sailing is one of our core sports, one which has medalled consistently over many years, and which claimed five medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

 

“It is particularly appropriate that the first athletes to be selected to Team GB include Olympic silver and double gold medallist Ben Ainslie as well as Olympic gold medallists Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Iain Percy.

 

“We are confident that the sailing team will make a significant contribution to Team GB’s overall medal tally in Beijing and wish these athletes well as they make their final preparations for the Olympic Games.”

 

Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Manager and sailing’s Team Leader for the Beijing Games said: “We’re pleased that the RYA’s nominated sailors have been accepted as part of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and look forward to confirming our nominations in the remaining six classes over the next few months.

 

“This marks the beginning of the home straight in sailing’s preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, where we hope to surpass our target of three medals on the waters of Qingdao in August.”

 

Park said the team's minimum target was three medals, but he hoped to win more than that.