It is set to be a bittersweet week for world champion Giles Scott as he gears up to compete on home waters at the sailing World Cup in Weymouth and Portland.
Scott, who is unbeaten in the Finn class since October 2013, trains at the Dorset venue but it was also the site of his biggest disappointment.
Back in 2011 the 27-year-old was beaten at the Olympic trials by Sir Ben Ainslie who would then go on to claim an historic fourth gold medal at London 2012.
It is a moment that has stayed with Scott ever since but he believes he can use the disappointment to propel him to Rio 2016.
“Looking back on it now, it’s obviously bitterly disappointing that I didn’t qualify for the London Games as I felt I was in a decent position to go on and do well at them,” he said.
“But the facts are the facts – Ben beat me in the trials and he won the spot to go. It is what it is, and I’ve had to move on from that.
“Weymouth is my home, it’s where I’ve lost some pretty important regattas, but it’s also where I’ve won some pretty good regattas as well, so there is definitely that bittersweet feeling here.
“Weymouth has served as a bit of a reminder to me, constantly, over the last few years. But it’s very good for me to have that reminder of the disappointment because it keeps me working hard and keeps me honest.
“For sure I do like to be reminded a lot to make sure I’m doing things the right way, and making sure I’m doing everything I can to get to where I want to be come 2016. Having Weymouth on my doorstep is a big part of that.”
© Sportsbeat 2015