Hayley Chan Hei-man's Olympic dreams were shattered after the windsurfer was involved in a training accident that left her with three broken ribs in hospital in England.
Chan, 21 (pictured), who sacrificed a year from Hong Kong University in pursuit of her dream, collided with a 49er racing dinghy travelling at full speed. Hong Kong coach Rene Appel, who was in a motor boat watching Chan train at the Portland and Weymouth Olympic sailing venue, rescued her from the water.
He described her injuries as 'serious' and that she was in a stable condition and recovering well in hospital.
'It will impact on our Olympic preparations but it is too soon to say by how much at this stage' said Appel. 'Hayley is a real fighter, and she is already applying the same focus and determination to recovery as she does to training.'
Hayley Chan's distraught mother rushed to London to be with her daughter, who is in the Dorset County Hospital.
The Hong Kong Sports Institute made arrangements to fly Chan's family to London. 'Hayley is very collected. We will assess her injury and see how things are.' Appel said.