Mylor’s Olympic hero Ben Ainslie, pictured, has been shortlisted for a prestigious world award.

The record-breaker, who became the greatest Olympian in the history of Sailing after winning his fourth gold this summer, learned to sail at Restronguet Creek in his youth.

Now he joins fellow gold medallist Helena Lucas and Youth World and European Champion RS:X windsurfer Saskia Sills to vie for the International Sailing Federation World Sailor of the Year.

Launched in 1994, the awards are recognised as the pinnacle a sailor can achieve in recognition of his or her outstanding achievements by the world of sailing.

They are presented every November to one male and one female sailor, with Ainslie having made history in 2008 by winning the award for a record third time.

In addition to having won an unprecedented sixth Finn World Championship title on his home waters of Falmouth in May, the 35-year-old Ainslie this summer surpassed Dane Paul Elvstrom to become the most successful Olympic sailor of all time.