Ben Ainslie intends to use the disappointment of defeat at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta as fuel for his drive towards another Olympic gold this summer.
The 35-year-old three-time Games champion was beaten by Giles Scott in the Finn class last weekend, having struggled with a virus and capsized in the final race.
"I was not on my best form, and it was great to see Giles sail so well, but all things considered to finish second on top of the Olympic fleet despite all of the things I had going on was still okay. We all make mistakes, and to do that there hopefully means I won't make it in the Olympics."
Ainslie - disqualified from the 2011 World Championships in Perth for an angry outburst at a television crew - maintains his build-up towards the London Olympics remains very much on course.
"Coming on the back of the World Championships and with the Olympics just down the road, it was always going to be very hard to peak for all three events," said Ainslie, who was in London ahead of the Sail for Gold Ball celebratory send-off for Skandia Team GBR and fundraiser at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
He went on: "Sometimes you have to be reminded you are pushing it on the edge and you can't afford to go to far. I hate being beaten, and did not enjoy it at all, but that it is a good thing which pushes you harder not to be beaten again."
Ainslie added: "I know what my strengths and weaknesses are, what I need to do and hopefully I can get the preparation right. I will be training down on the Olympic waters in Weymouth, in the gym, trying to get the body in the best possible shape for the regatta. Ultimately on the day you have to go out and race well."
Ainslie may well be an experienced Olympic campaigner as he prepares for a fifth Games, but will carry the additional burden of the hopes of the host nation in Weymouth. However, the British sailor - the first torch bearer when it touched down at Land's End - has no intention of being swept away in all the hype.
"Like any sport, if you are at the top or near the top and performing well you have to expect the expectations," he said.
"Getting to the top is the easy bit, it is staying there which is the hard thing."