Paul Goodison

Britain's new Ben Ainslie talks to Peter Bentley about taking on Robert Scheidt at Hyeres

Hard at work in Hyeres

While stamping a little bit of a mark on Scheidt was the highlight of the week for Goodison the bad news was some other British nippers biting at his heels. Offering a sharp assessment of his countrymen Goodison rates Ed Wright who he says "has always been there," before adding jokingly that he usually messes up one or two races which helps everybody else out. Dan Holman he reckoned "had a blinding regatta" in Hyeres and sailed "quite well" in Palma.

From an overall point of view however Goodison is clear that the contribution of the other squad members to the overall performance of the British squad is very significant. As the others get better he too has to improve to stay ahead of his British rivals and that in turn helps him internationally.

There is no doubt that the squad of which Goodison is now a key member is among the strongest in the world. How important, I asked, is that to the overall goal of winning a gold medal in Athens? The answer was simple: "It is definitely the most important thing," says Goodison succinctly.

For a man so hugely driven towards individual glory in a very personal way, Goodison has great loyalty to his teammates. "The main thing is that we all get on and we are all friends on and off the water," he says. "When we come in we all go out for dinner, we all go go-karting and windsurfing and we kind of just have fun together. It makes things a lot easier".

In the past it seemed that Ben Ainslie was always pretty good friends with the guys he was sailing with ashore. Afloat it was a very different story and you often got the impression when he was out on the water training Ben simply wanted to destroy his training partners. Is it I wondered still like that on the water or has it calmed down a little bit?

"Ben was pretty unique like that," says Goodison with a laugh. "I try my hardest not to piss the other guys off because I know they are helping me in the long run". There is still however the thorny issue of the trials. Ultimately the guys who are teammates now will be bitter rivals for a single Olympic place in 2004.

Referring once again to those teammates, Goodison sounds remarkably unselfish. "The way that I look at it is we are all trying to help each other win a gold medal rather than qualify for the Olympics." It remains to be seen if he remains so philosophical in the heat of a tough trials.

It is an issue that Goodison has already given some thought to. Making reference to the RYA's proposed but as yet officially unannounced trials system, Goodison is bold enough to state "Hopefully what will happen is that I will pre qualify by getting a top three at the worlds beforehand." In the world of Laser sailing, a little bit of confidence goes a long way.

Come back tomorrow on madfor sailing to read Nigel Cherrie's 'state of the nation' with the Laser class...