‘There’s a bit of pressure, I want to do my best for Hong Kong,’ says teenage Winter Olympian Arabella Ng

If the prospect of competing against the world’s best Alpine skiers wasn’t enough to unnerve Hong Kong Winter Olympian Arabella Ng, the 16-year-old admitted to feeling the pressure of being the city’s only representative at the upcoming Games.

As the youngster prepared to make the journey from the US to Hong Kong for this week’s flag raising ceremony before heading off to South Korea, she told the Post that she was eager not to let Hong Kong down.

“I see these Games as a huge opportunity and learning experience for the future,” said Ng. “I’m still very young and will be one of the youngest racers in Pyeongchang so I don’t really have any big expectations. But there’s definitely a little bit of pressure as I want to do my best on the day for Hong Kong.”

The Vermont resident will become the first athlete from the SAR to compete in Alpine skiing at the Winter Games when she takes to the slopes in South Korea in a week’s time. All five of Hong Kong’s previous Winter Olympians have competed in short track speed skating events.

“Trying to be comfortable around the world’s top skiers [will be challenging],” Ng said, “Many of them I have only ever seen on TV. Actually racing against them, I hope I can stay focussed and do my best.”

Realistically, that is all that will be expected of the talented youngster. These Games are being viewed more as a dry run for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing when the Hong Kong Ski Association is hoping Ng isn’t their only hope.