Since arriving home from Beijing, what have you done? It has been like a whirlwind. Once we touched down at Heathrow, we saw how the nation had got behind the Olympic team as there were so many people to greet us. This past week has been a case of catching up with family and friends. I also flew to Sardinia to compete in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which is slightly less stressful than the Olympics. After my first Games in Atlanta in 1996, I came home and, after one crazy week, had nothing to do. I felt lost. So, ever since, I have tried to arrange something for when I come home.

How does ‘Sir Ben Ainslie’ sound? That’s a bit of a dream. For sure, any British sportsperson who does really well, who represents their country, is obviously rewarded accordingly. Look at what Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent achieved in rowing. Those guys have been an inspiration to the British Olympic squad.

Where do you keep your four Olympic medals? They have been all over the place, in museums, on show to the public. At present, my parents are looking after them. Of my three gold medals, this latest one is the most satisfying because I overcame difficult conditions early on and managed to cross the finishing line in the final race in first place. You have so much external and personal expectation that when you finish, there is a huge sense of relief. For a few minutes you are speechless until the realisation sinks in.

IOC president Jacques Rogge compared your achievements to that of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps - would you agree? You can only do what you can in your sport. I could only ever win one gold medal at one Games - and I did. Chris Hoy, the cyclist, could only win three - and he did. Like Bolt and Phelps, we have achieved our maximum within our sports. Anybody who wins an Olympic medal has done something tremendous.

Who is the most famous person you have met outside of sport? Somebody who really made an impression was former prime minister John Major. I found him really charismatic and entertaining. I was 19 and had been invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street.

Is it true you’re allergic to sunlight? I have photosensitive skin so I have to be careful out on the seas and try to cover up with suntan lotion as much as possible.

Tell us about the postrace Olympics party in Beijing. We had a great team party on the final day of the sailing, when Andrew Simpson and Iain Percy won gold medals in the Star class. We took out the bottom floor of the team hotel and hired a band. It was the first time I had been drunk in a while. The worst dancer has to be Simpson. He was like a caged lion!

Have you ever been seasick? Thankfully, it has never happened during a major competition, only on an ocean crossing. I have, however, capsized plenty of times. Myself and Percy nearly killed ourselves on one such occasion and did a good job of wrecking the boat we were in - which wasn’t ours, so it made the situation even worse.

Away from sailing, what are your ambitions? To obtain a pilot’s licence. It is just so peaceful up there and a real challenge. How do you try to relax? Watching movies, reading books and recharging the batteries on a beach. I play golf, too, but it winds me up. I don’t have a handicap because I am that bad.

What are your plans now? To see what is happening with the America’s Cup and if a date has been set for when Team Origin can compete. If the America’s Cup does happen, then I plan to stick to the Finn for London 2012, which is a fantastic opportunity for any British sportsperson. I will be 35 by the time of the next Games and I can be there, provided I stay strong and fit. You cannot really think about, ‘If I could win four or five gold medals’; you must focus on the next job and see what happens.

QUESTION OF TASTE

Favourite holiday destination? The Caribbean. Cruising on a nice boat, just enjoying sailing rather than the stress of competition

Chinese or Indian food? Having just spent nearly a month in China, I would say Chinese

Beer or wine? A nice glass of red wine

Conservative or Labour? Conservative. I have been frustrated watching what has happened over the past few years

Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Lopez? Oh, Lopez, definitely. She’s a brunette. And has a few more curves!

Ben Ainslie is a member of Skandia Team GBR www.skandiateamgbr.com