Will Nick Thompson emulate Sir Ben Ainslie in Rio?

Lymington’s four-time Olympic champion Ainslie upset the Brazilians by defeating their compatriot Robert Scheidt to win his first Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000.

Now Thompson heads to the Rio games aiming to do the same and defeat home favourite and five-time Olympic medallist Schiedt on his own turf in the laser class sailing, which would likely not please Brazil.

The laser contest is expected to be more competitive than ever, with the 30-year-old, who started sailing on the Solent as a two-year-old, among the favourites after winning the last two world titles in the class.

"Winning the last two worlds has given me a bit of an edge over everyone," explains Thompson.

"Doing the second one proved a point: I'm in Rio to win, I'm not there just to get a medal or take part.

"I think it sends a strong message to my competitors and probably at the moment I'm one of the favourites going into the Games."

A far throw from Thompson’s favourite UK sailing waters in Hampshire’s waters around Lymington and Hurst Castle, the Guanabara Bay in Rio will play host to the laser competition, with Thompson spending time studying the micro-climate and challenging tides and currents there.

The Southampton-born sailor reckons only Schiedt will have spent more time analysing the environment than him.

A huge plus for Thompson is that the sailing is located close to the centre of Rio, meaning that it will take a more of central stage than in previous Olympics.

In the last two Games in London and Beijing the sailing has taken place far away from the main host city.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for sailing," Thompson explains.

"It really is at the heart of the city. You're surrounded by the landmarks of Rio: Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach.

"You really are seeing all of those sights on the water. It really is nice that it'll be more of a focus at the Olympics."