Double Olympic champion Shirley Robertson has accused British sailing officials of making an 'easy decision' after they left her out the squad for next year's Olympics in Beijing.

Robertson was looking to make Olympic history by becoming the first British woman to win three golds.

But the Royal Yachting Association have selected two of her Athens crew-mates to fly the flag in the Yngling class in Qingdao.

Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb will be joined by Southampton girl Pippa Wilson after securing their spot by taking the world title in Cascais and winning the final Olympic test event in China.

Robertson finished third in the world championships, despite leading for much of the regatta having only returned to competitive sailing 12 months ago after giving birth to twins.

The 39-year-old insists she deserved more time to prove her credentials.

"I truly believe we haven't had the chance to prove ourselves in the crucial Olympic year," said Robertson.

"In not extending the trials I believe the RYA has taken the easy decision.Anything less than a gold medal in the Yngling class at next years Olympics will leave questions unanswered about the Skandia Team GBR's selection process."

But Robertson has not ruled out making a comeback in 2012 - even though she will be 44.

"Lots of people will view this as my retirement, however sailing is one of the few sports that rewards age and experience," she added.

"Sailing with Annie Lush and Lucy Macgregor has been one of the best experiences of my 16-year Olympic sailing career and we are left feeling like there is unfinished business."

However, Stephen Park, the RYA's Olympic sailing manager, defended his committee's selection process "I understand Shirley's disappointment and frustration," he said.

"Anyone who is happy when they are not selected hasn't wanted to be nominated badly enough, so clearly she is upset.

"She's made an argument for extending the trial process but in technical boats I believe it's important that we complete the selection process early and give our sailors the best possible chance of success next year.

"We've selected a crew that are the reigning world champions and have proven themselves at the Olympic venue. Two of them are existing Olympic champions."

On the eve of the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth, Park also confirmed selections in eight other Olympic classes - although some remain provisional based on the achievement of set performance targets.

Ben Ainslie, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, is not among those named. Ainslie was last week named as the skipper of Team Origin, Great Britain's challenge for the next America's Cup.

Park is now planning talks with Ainslie to see whether those commitments will rule out a bid for a fourth consecutive Olympic medal, following Ainslie's silver in Atlanta and golds in Sydney and Athens.