Former Olympic champion Iain Percy has warned would-be successors to the UK's throne at the summit of world sailing to "watch out, we've never been so good".

With exactly one year to go until the Olympic regatta takes to the waters off Qingdao, foreign hope has been spreading that the UK - whose historical haul of 20 gold medals is unmatched - will be forced to relinquish their stronghold on the sport.

The claims are that the light winds blowing over the Yellow Sea will wreak havoc with the UK's heavier sailors and the alien conditions will be too challenging for a Skandia Team GBR squad apparently distracted by other priorities.

But Hampshire-based Star class sailor Percy, who won a gold medal winner in the Finn at Sydney seven years ago and came sixth in the Star last time out, insists not only are Team GBR's sailors greater in number, shape and talent than ever before, but they will prove it with a record medal haul.

He said: "We've been the best nation at the last two Olympic Games. Five medals in each, both for Athens and Sydney, but we weren't perfect because we didn't have people qualify in every class.

"Today, we have qualifiers in every class. Look at the Yngling class, if Sarah's (Ayton) crew is the one chosen, that means not only do we have her, a (2004) gold medallist, sailing, but it means we can afford to dispense of a double Olympic champion (Shirley Robertson).

"Elsewhere, we have people qualified for every single class, all 11 or so of them.

"Forgetting the numbers, if you look at the talent available. We are virtually the same squad of sailors who cleared up at the last two Games, but we have all gained more experience and this is an experience-takes-all game."

Several of the squad's critics, generally based within the presses of the United States, Brazil and Spain - the UK's biggest sailing rivals - have based their assaults on the busy schedules of Team GBR's leading sailors.

The belief is that double-champion Ben Ainslie along with Percy have had their preparation time slashed by extensive America's Cup campaigns, while the Yngling team have overseen personnel changes since Shirley Robertson left to start a family.

But Percy, who skippered +39 Challenge throughout a three-year America's Cup campaign, is adamant the lack of preparation time can actually be beneficial.

He explained: "Some sailors literally live in an Olympic cycle.

"You spend 12 years continuously sailing the type boats you have in the Olympics and are constantly preparing.

"I did that for the Athens Games, spent three years preparing solidly. I can tell you it can get monotonous.

"I've given myself a year, year and a half to get going for this one. I'll be arriving fresh and ready and probably more motivated.

"When I went in 2000 I only did 18 months preparation and got the gold. I'm confident I can do that again this time."

Percy, who will again be sailing alongside long-time race partner Steve Mitchell, also has little fear for the notoriously tricky conditions found off the Qingdao coast.

He said: "It's very light breeze there, about three to five knots and going up to 10. Obviously in the UK we are used to a fair bit more, but we've all sailed all over the world and can handle any conditions.

"The only adaptation will be weight-wise, some people losing a stone, a stone and a half in no time at all to prepare.

"I don't have to lose hardly anything, neither does Ben (Ainslie). That's just life though. If you need to be lighter, lose weight. Simple.

"I really am confident in everything about this team. We have so much talent across so many areas, more than ever before.

"We will obviously aim to reflect that with our medal haul. It could well turn out to be the best one we've had."