TRIPLE Olympic champion Ben Ainslie insists London 2012 is never far from his mind – despite once again turning his attentions away from the Olympics and onto the America’s Cup.

Ainslie became Britain’s most decorated sailor ever last summer after comfortably claiming his third successive Olympic gold medal and second in the finn class in Qingdao.

However the 32-year-old Macclesfield-born sailor hasn’t stepped foot in the finn since opting to switch his focus on Team Origin’s bid to become the first British boat to win the America’s Cup.

Progress in the America’s Cup hasn’t been forthcoming with sailing rivals BMW Oracle and holders Alinghi locked in an ongoing legal battle over the terms of the event.

The 33rd race has now been pencilled in for February next year in the UAE and despite Team Origin anticipated to enter in either 2011 or 2013 Ainslie admitted he won’t be forgetting about 2012.

"To have the chance to compete in the Olympic Games in your home country, there would be no greater thrill," said Ainslie – who marked his Olympic bow by claiming laser silver in Atlanta in 1996.

"I can’t think if a better way to bow out of the Olympics than winning a fourth gold and a fifth medal in total on your own waters with home support.

"2012 is always on the horizon and, although I am concentrating on other things now, I am looking forward to getting back into my finn in the future.

"The America’s Cup is my future and my career and something I have been involved in for a long time, and after a lot of difficulty there is a chance of success which is very exciting.

"But having said that London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t want to choose between the two."

Ainslie took time out of his hectic schedule last week to head down to the Olympic waters in Weymouth and watch the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta.

With only one British boat getting the nod for the Olympics Ainslie’s dominance has prevented Brits such as inaugural ISAF World Cup champion Ed Wright from making their debuts for the past eight years.

However with the race for the sole Olympic boat even greater with the Games on home waters Ainslie is expecting to be pushed all the way in his bid to claim an unprecedented fourth straight gold.

"It’s great to see so many guys battling to get into the boat and that is what you would expect with the Games only three years away," added Ainslie – who skippers and helms Team Origin.

"Ed Wright has had a great year and so has Giles Scott. They both trained with us in Beijing last year and have been doing really well.

"I am sure either one of them are going to be one of the big names of the future."