Ainslie fighting back

Ben Ainslie: Contesting Finn class

Ben Ainslie is on the verge of becoming the greatest Olympic sailor of all time after getting the psychological edge over leader Jonas Hogh-Christensen on Friday.

The 35-year-old came into London 2012 as overriding favourite to top the Finn podium - a result that would see him replace Denmark's Paul Elvstrom as the Games' most decorated sailor ever.

Ainslie, though, has faced fierce resistance from Elvstrom's countryman Hogh-Christensen, who has led the fleet from the outset and on Thursday irked the home star by claiming he hit a mark - something the Brit strongly denied.

The three-time gold medallist promised revenge and delivered in the final of the 10 fleet races, slowing down in the final upwind leg after a storming start in a bid to effect then second-place Hogh-Christensen.

The Dane struggled with the bold move and was overtaken by the Netherlands' Pieter-Jan Postma, who held onto second to cut Hogh-Christensen's advantage heading into Sunday's medal race to just two points.

"I had a pretty sizeable lead in the race and it was really important for me that the Dutch sailor was able to get past Jonas," Ainslie said.

"I did consider trying to facilitate that but you'd have to go quite far back.

"In reality it was too risky as if something had gone wrong and I'd lost those boats, I'd look pretty silly.

"The Dutch sailor sailed really well and got past so that evened things up."

Distracted

Hogh-Christensen admits the sight of Ainslie slowing down and looking back played a big part in him letting slip second.

"I was a little bit distracted," he said of the Brit's move.

"I wanted to keep PJ in close quarters because I knew if Ben was going to come back and try and give me bad air I would have to do the same to PJ.

"When I saw Ben didn't go for that plan, I gave PJ a little bit of room and got punished."

Hogh-Christensen finished fifth ahead of Ainslie in Friday afternoon's earlier race but the result of race 10 means Ainslie is two points behind in the overall standings heading into Sunday's medal race, which is competed between the top 10 boats and sees points scored doubled and added to the opening series' score.

With two points for each position in the medal race, Ainslie will win gold as long as he finishes ahead of Hogh-Christensen and six places ahead of Postma.

The standings mean the Brit cannot sail the Dane down the course like he did to take Laser gold in Sydney ahead of Robert Scheidt 12 years ago.

"It is going to be a short race and on the Nothe Course," Hogh-Christensen said looking ahead to Sunday.

"It is a tricky course. A lot of things can happen but I have a good track record.

"I won the first race there and the practice race as well so I think it plays a little bit into my favour that we sail in there, but I still think Ben is the favourite to win the gold."

Admission

Hogh-Christensen's admission that his main rival is expected to win may surprise a few people - but not Ainslie.

"I think he is probably trying to play a few mind games there," he said with a smile.

"He has been the guy leading the whole way through and I am happy to have equalled things up now.

"It will be a fascinating race. There's so much at stake and I am going to enjoy it. I am actually looking forward to it."

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