SKANDIA Team GBR is the British Sailing Team in the Olympic and Paralympic classes.

The team consists of the performance squad and development and transitional squads, which jointly total around 70 sailors. The sailors train and compete across 10 Olympic Classes – Finn, Laser Radial, Laser, 470 men and women, 49er, Star, NeilPryde RS:X men and women windsurfers and, new for London 2012, Women’s Olympic Classes Match Racing.

There are three Paralympic Classes, the Sonar, 2.4mR and SKUD18. Great Britain is the world’s top Olympic Classes sailing nation with the British Olympic team sailors topping the medal table at the past three Games in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

In a Dorset Echo column, Skandia Team GBR members are bringing insight into the campaign for glory in 2012.

Here’s triple gold medallist and silver Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie, who will be representing Great Britain in the Finn heavyweight dinghy class next summer: IT’S AN honour to be selected to compete for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, having my selection confirmed is obviously a big relief.

With only one place per nation available the competition was strong, Great Britain had four sailors in the top five on the world ranking (Giles Scott, Ed Wright, Andrew Mills and Mark Andrews) all battling for the one place at the Olympics.

It meant I had to be at my best in every race to beat them and it’s a credit to those guys and how they pushed me all the way in every event.

After two years away from Olympic sailing I came back last November after a spell with the British America’s Cup team and I knew the pressure would be on to get back to form both physically and tactically.

At the first event in Perth, as expected, I struggled.

My fitness levels just weren’t up to scratch and I was too light for the boat. After a hard winter of training it was important for me to hit form coming into qualification year.

After a second place in Miami in January everything came together pretty well, I was sailing the boat well and physically I had improved to near to my best form.

I probably sailed at my best at the qualification regatta in June – Skandia Sail for Gold – it was one of the hardest events I’ve competed in and winning there was decisive.

Even though it’s just me in the boat, it really has been a team effort.

My coach David (Sid) Howlett has been working on equipment development as well as coaching on the water. Mark Andrews has been a really good training partner on and off the water and finally on the fitness and nutrition side Alex Hobson has kept me fit and in good shape for specific events.

Next up is the ISAF World Championships – Finn Gold Cup – in Perth, Australia this December. I’ll be heading out there in style at the end of October thanks to British Airways!

And UPS have expertly taken care of my equipment logistics. Knowing the equipment is safe is a worry off my mind. I’m fully expecting my boat to arrive on time for the first time ever!

The key events ahead of the Olympics will be the JP Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup 2012 World Championships next May in my home town of Falmouth.

It’s the place where I grew up and learnt to sail so it’s going to be very special.

Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta is at the start of June at the Olympic venue just eight weeks out from the Games itself.

But it’s going to be all about getting the plans right for my fitness and preparation to peak at the Olympics, you don’t want to reach burnout before!

Although it’s very important to try and win every event you compete in, the Olympics are the end goal.