HUNTINGDON sailor Giles Scott has warned Olympic rival Ben Ainslie that he has no plans to throw in the towel in the race for a London 2012 spot.

HUNTINGDON sailor Giles Scott has warned Olympic rival Ben Ainslie that he has no plans to throw in the towel in the race for a London 2012 spot.

Triple gold medallist Ainslie got the better of Scott at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth last weekend, claiming gold and the chance to participate in Finn class at the Olympic test event in six weeks’ time.

Scott pursued Ainslie all the way, forcing the reigning champion into defensive tactics in Saturday’s medal race to prevent 23-year-old Scott from leapfrogging him into first place overall.

Ainslie got the jump on Scott at the start, meaning he could restrict Scott’s progress and drop them both down the field.

Scott said: “It was a tricky one and there was just the one opportunity that I missed to get in front of him, which was the last five seconds before the start which was a little disappointing.

“I knew he was going to come after me, I’d have done exactly the same had I been in his position so it didn’t take me by surprise.

“I am disappointed with silver because it’s massive for our trials but I am in no way giving up and I will fight all the way until a decision on the Olympics is finally made.”

Ainslie and Scott sit first and second in the ISAF World Cup standings with just one event to go, ahead of fellow Brit Ed Wright in third – a competition Scott says is bringing out the best in all three.

“I see that having so many strong Finn sailors in Britain as a good thing really and I try to focus on the positives rather than the negatives

“Being top Brit means you have to be number one in the world and that means that whoever goes to the Olympics is set up nicely to do well because of the intense competition.

“It is tough but you just have to get on with it and I know I am a better sailor because of it so that has to be a good thing.”

Skandia is the principal sponsor of the British sailing team. For more information go to http://www.skandiateamgbr.com