KEY POINTS:
Despite falling at the final hurdle in the Finn Gold Cup in Melbourne yesterday, New Zealand sailor Dan Slater is drawing plenty of positives from his second placing overall in looking ahead to the Beijing Olympics.
After leading the 82-strong fleet until the penultimate day, Slater was edged for the world title by British sailor and long-time rival Ben Ainslie.
Just one point separated the pair heading in to yesterday's medal race, but it was Ainslie who held his nerve in the thrilling finale, crossing the line in second place behind compatriot Edward Wright.
Ainslie, a member of Team New Zealand's 2007 America's Cup challenge, finished seven points clear of Slater, who stumbled to fifth in the final race. Jonas Christensen of Denmark was a further seven points back in taking bronze.
Slater was handicapped by a poor start in the final race which left him to try to defend his medal position rather than gunning for the title.
The former youth world champion in the Laser class said it was a frustrating finish to an otherwise strong regatta.
"It was disappointing to lead the regatta the whole way through until the death and it didn't go my way, but no doubt I'll get another chance to redeem myself," he said soon after coming ashore.
The result will see New Zealand's hopes of Olympic medals soar further after Tom Ashley claimed gold and Barbara Kendall silver at the RS:X World Champs in Takapuna this month.
While disappointed not to top the podium in Melbourne, Slater said his performances at the regatta had reinforced his belief that he was on the right track for a top performance at the Olympics.
Much of Slater's training over the past few months has been focused on the lighter conditions expected in Qingdao. And with conditions in Melbourne unexpectedly light for much of the World Championship regatta, his performances certainly bode well.
"It's a nice result to start the year off with and things are going to plan and I know I can do it," he said.
"It was predominantly a light regatta and I was going really well in the light air and that's been the focus for the last couple of months."
Slater believes Ainslie, who has won everything he has entered since being released from America's Cup duties with Team New Zealand, is shaping up to be his main rival for Olympic gold.
The pair are long-time rivals dating back over 15 years when they both competed in the Laser class.
"I'm sailing against arguably one of the best sailors in the world and that's no easy feat, but I know I can beat him and win a medal come China, I've just got to keep on the programme."
New Zealanders Carl Evans and Peter Burling narrowly missed qualifying for today's medal race in the men's 470 World Championships. The pair finished one point outside the top 10 who will race for the championship.
