 Ainslie won his second Olympic gold in Athens in 2004 |
British Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie will miss next week's world championships in Portugal because of a clash with the America's Cup. Ainslie is a back-up helmsman for Team New Zealand and will be unable to race his Finn dinghy at the event that doubles as the Olympic qualifier.
Only one British Finn sailor will go to Beijing and Ainslie will have to rely on the discretion of the selectors.
"I wish all the British sailors the very best of luck," said Ainslie.
"Whilst it's obviously very disappointing not to be able to compete at the world championships, without doubt, being with Team New Zealand has been an invaluable experience.
"I will come away from Valencia the better sailor for it.
"I am firmly focused on the America's Cup but I am very much looking forward to getting back into my Finn as soon as its over."
Ainslie won Olympic silver in the Laser class dinghy in Atlanta in 1996 before clinching gold in the Laser in Sydney in 2000 and gold in the heavier Finn in Athens in 2004.
Britain will now have 95 competitors vying for honours across the 11 Olympic classes when racing starts on 3 July in Cascais.
Team New Zealand trail holders Alinghi by 4-2 in the best-of-nine America's Cup series in Valencia.
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