OLYMPIC hopefuls Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes believe they are on the right track to sail their way to success in 2012.

The Exmouth pair were hot favourites for the 49er gold at the 2008 Beijing games before finishing in a disappointing ninth place.

Last week they came seventh at the 49er World Championships in the Bahamas.

It was another underwhelming end for the pair, who had begun the competition promisingly in the first few races.

But Morrison and Rhodes' main desire is for a steady progression over the long-term so they are in their prime for the London Olympics.

And after a decent 2009, in which the GB teammates focused on getting back to basics, they are now looking forward to further improvement this year.

"All in all 2009 was a solid year for us," said Morrison. "Ben and I made the decision to learn to enjoy our sailing again and to have some fun on the water.

"The results were slightly average but it was very much a work in progress year. With the 49er World Championships at the beginning of this year, it has put a different slant on our approach to 2010.

"This year we have a packed calendar, which includes the usual tour, but our next big event is the Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth. That has been moved to August now, so that it reflects a similar scenario to the Olympics and acts almost as a practice event before the one that everyone is eyeing."

The Olympics may still be more than two years away, but the event is very much on the Exmouth Sailing Club duo's agenda.

And Morrison admits that it has become a burning ambition to erase the bad memories of Beijing.

"We don't feel like we did ourselves justice in Beijing and we know we need to do our very best to qualify for the British team," he explained.

"The standard of sailing in the GB team at the moment is so high that we will need to be one of the best in the world to make it into the team.

"We are trying our hardest to ensure that we are the boat that makes it."

Most people would not be blamed for wanting to escape frozen Britain for the Bahamas at the moment but, with the World Championships now finished, Morrison says he and Rhodes are looking forward to getting back home.

After such a hectic festive period, the two sailors have no plans to race in Devon waters for the next few months, with their main focus on the venue for the Olympic sailing at Weymouth.

Morrison added: "We probably won't be sailing in Devon until March — our equipment gets shipped back from the Bahamas when we are finished and won't arrive until the end of February.

"After that we will do all of our equipment testing in Devon or in Weymouth at the RYA base.

"Most of our training will be focused in Weymouth, as it makes sense that we maximise our home advantage for 2012, with Weymouth being the Olympic waters." And with Budleigh's Olympic medallist Joe Glanfield currently providing some expert coaching, the next few years could be good to Morrison and Rhodes.

"Joe is out here now coaching us and we are really happy to have his support," added Morrison.

"We are working well with him and we would like that to continue. And hopefully, if it all goes well, we'll be in the best position possible at all stages over the next year and beyond."

Morrison and Rhodes are sponsored by G4S. For more information on this partnership, visit www.g4ssport.com.