Ainslie is considered a sure thing to claim gold again and showed typical agressive form in yesterday's practice race. Ainslie not winning would put Mark Cavendish's failure in the men's road race well in the shade. The Dane Jonas Hogh-Christensen, Kiwi Dan Slater and Pieter-Jan Postma will be the front runners trying to upset the Team GB party.

Percy and Simpson are considered podium certainties but in this class, which attracts the 'crème de la crème' of dinghy sailing, half the fleet could be considered similar prospects. And Brazil’s Robert Schiedt and Bruno Prada will be a lot of peoples banker for the gold. The Irish pair, Peter O'Leary and David Burrows are due a big win and Hamish Pepper and Jim Turner of New Zealand are looking sharp.

Finn racing will begin on the Nothe course, in front of the paying spectators at 12:00, before moving to the full size West course. On the West course the Star will start first at 13:30 followed by the Finn ten minuetes later. The Star will then do a second race at around 15:10.

Meanwhile on the Nothe course the Women's match racing event will start at 13:30 with the British crew, Lucy and Kate Macgregor and Annie Lush taking on Lotte Meldgaard, Tina Gramkov and Susanne Boidin of Denmark. Twelve races are scheduled for the women today.

For the other classes there will be practice races on the Portland Harbour course for the 49er and the Laser and Radial classes on the South bay course.