PORTLAND 2012 Olympic hopefuls Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell are looking to bounce back from their slip off the podium at the forthcoming Skandia Sail for Gold regatta.

The duo, who until the French Olympic Week in Hyeres, had medalled at every event since last August are glad that their fall from grace struck before the major regatta on home waters.

Despite being the top British boat at last month’s event, they failed to make the medal race spot in the men’s 470 dinghy event and finished 16th.

Luke, aged 25, of Weston, said: “It was the first event we haven’t medalled at since August last year. You can’t win forever - no one does and we’d sooner it be in Hyeres than Sail for Gold next month. It’s a good opportunity to move forward.”

Stuart, also 25, of Weston, added: “A few of the coaches have been like: ‘Thank God you’ve got that out the way.’” For both Scotland-born Luke and Stuart, who is originally from Rochdale, the chance to qualify and compete at the home Olympic sailing events in 2012 would be a dream come true.

Luke said: “Both Stuart and I remember watching the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and thinking: ‘That’s what I want to do.’ It’s just funny that the dream that we’ve been looking at for so many years is now so close, it’s such a fantastic opportunity.”