'Three blondes' lift Ainslie

Britain's gold medal-winning "three blondes in a boat" have inspired Ben Ainslie to bid for a second successive Olympic Games triumph in the Finn class in Athens tomorrow.

Ainslie will attempt to match the double gold achievement of Shirley Robertson, leader of the brilliant Yngling crew completed by Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton, who triumphed yesterday.

While the women wrapped up their competition to give Britain a first gold, Ainslie was securing at least silver and barring a disaster in his 11th and final race, the 27-year-old will repeat the Sydney gold he achieved in the Laser class.

Ainslie, who is 14 points clear of secondplaced Spaniard Trujillo, returned from his race in time to welcome back the Yngling crew and said: "I am so pleased for Shirley and the rest of the crew. It's a fabulous lift for the rest of us."

There is also the chance of a gold from the men's 470 dingy crew of Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield while Paul Goodison is pushing for a medal in his Laser.

However, the day belonged to Shirley and the two Sarahs, although the trio were quick to point out that a fourth member of the team needed to be given due credit. He is Ian Walker, the double silver medal winner, who coached the girls leading into Athens.