Lymington's double Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie will have the chance to defend his Olympic crown in Beijing, as the 30-year-old is one of nine sailors to have today been officially selected by the British Olympic Association to compete at the 2008 Games.

Ainslie earned the nod from Royal Yachting Association selectors for the single berth in the heavyweight Finn class following his impressive showing at the Sydney International Regatta last month, where his dominant performance, coupled with back to back wins at the two Olympic Test Regattas at Qingdao in 2006 and 2007, sealed his nomination to compete at a fourth Olympic Games.

Already the owner of a silver medal from Atlanta 1996 as well as golds from the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games, Ainslie looks set to be one of Great Britain's most decorated Olympians to be competing in Beijing, and he's relishing the challenge of going for his third straight Olympic gold.

Ainslie said: "It is fantastic news to be chosen to defend my Olympic Finn title in Beijing, and I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to once again represent my country at the Olympics."

Meanwhile, fellow Hampshire sailing stars Winchester's Iain Percy and Pippa Wilson, from Lymington, have also had their nomination for Team GB' - the British Olympic Association's team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics - officially ratified by the BOA and the duo will be joining Ainslie in China.

Southampton-born Wilson, 21, has enjoyed a stellar rise to the top of international sailing's most celebrated podiums since joining up with Athens 2004 Olympic champions Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb in the Yngling, the trio winning both World Championship and Olympic Test Event gold medals in 2007.

Meanwhile 31-year-old Percy, who hooked up with new his new crew Andrew Simpson 12 months ago and sailed to Star class World bronze last summer, will be looking to match the gold medal he won in the single-handed Finn at Sydney 2000 in the double-handed Star in Beijing.

Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Manager and sailing's Team Leader for the Beijing Games said: "We're pleased that the RYA's nominated sailors have been accepted as part of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and look forward to confirming our nominations in the remaining six classes over the next few months.

"This marks the beginning of the home straight in sailing's preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, where we hope to surpass our target of three medals on the waters of Qingdao in August."

The other sailors officially named as Team GB members are 49er World Champions Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes and three-time Laser European Champion Paul Goodison. Team GB could ultimately comprise 300 athletes competing across 22 sports at the Games in August.

BOA Chief Executive and 2008 Chef de Mission Simon Clegg said: "I am delighted to announce the first nine official members of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Sailing is one of our core sports, one which has medalled consistently over many years, and which claimed five medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

"We are confident that the sailing team will make a significant contribution to Team GB's overall medal tally in Beijing and wish these athletes well as they make their final preparations for the Olympic Games."

The Olympic regatta will take place in Qingdao from Saturday 9 to Thursday 21 August.

Sailors selected for Team GB: Finn class (heavyweight dinghy) Ben Ainslie Yngling class (women's keelboat) Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson 49er class (skiff) Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes Laser class (men's one person dinghy) Paul Goodison Star class (men's keelboat) Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson