DORSET’S London 2012 hopefuls have experienced fluctuating fortunes in recent weeks – with the race for coveted Olympic places intensifying. In this round-up of the area’s leading Games contenders, Ian Wadley brings Echo readers up to date with the latest news on our athletes.

IAIN WEAVER – BOXING

THE Ferndown fighter’s Olympic dream ended last month when he was overlooked for the final London 2012 qualifier.

Weaver was thought to be battling Martin Ward in the 60k event, but Liverpool’s Sam Maxwell was selected ahead of the pair.

The 22-year-old said “I was told that if anything were to happen to him on the injury front, I would be first reserve. But I’m not too interested in that if I’m honest. My Olympic dream is over and I just want to move on and forget about 2012.”

Weaver could now opt to move into the professional ranks.

ALISON KNOWLES – ROWING

The Bournemouth-born oarswoman suffered a setback when she was left out of the women’s eight to compete in the first World Cup event of the season in Belgrade next month. Beijing Olympian Knowles could still regain her place – with Britain’s London 2012 rowing team not to be decided until June 6.

But although she remains in contention, GB Rowing performance director David Tanner said the World Cup crews would form the basis for Olympic selection.

Former Ferndown Upper School pupil Knowles has been a member of the women’s eight crew since 2005.

DAN HUNTER, OLI KIMBER, DANNY WEEMES – VOLLEYBALL

THE former Wessex Volleyball Club trio are in the running to compete as part of the Team GB indoor team at London 2012.

Graduates of the Dorset-based club now playing professionally in Europe, they moved a step closer to a dream Games call-up when they were all named in a provisional 16-man squad.

Hunter, Kimber and Weemes will discover their fate in July when that list is trimmed to 12 players.

BEN AINSLIE – SAILING

THE British sailing legend vowed to continue working hard after claiming gold with a day to spare on the Finn course at the Princess Sofia World Cup Regatta in Palma. Ainslie, 35, said: “I’m happy but there’s a lot of work to do yet in the coming months in the build-up to the Games.”

The triple Olympic gold medallist added: “I’ll keep pushing to try to get better and be better prepared.”

MATCH RACE TEAM – SAILING

LUCY Macgregor, sister Kate Macgregor and Annie Lush were forced to settle for sixth place at the Princess Sofia World Cup Regatta in Palma.

The Poole triumvirate saw their medal hopes ended by France’s former world champion Claire Leroy in the quarter-finals.

The Daily Echo columnists, already selected for the Olympics, then lost out to Russia’s Ekaterina Skudina in a fifth-sixth play-off.