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SCMP Reporter

World junior champion Ho Chi-ho has made an encouraging start at the European Championships in Puck, Poland, as he bids to win his first major senior title.

 With three races over, Ho lies mid-fleet in the event which has attracted 42 sailors.

 He finished 26th and 24th in the opening two races yesterday to lie 26th overall.

 Braving rainstorms, Hong Kong's 18-year-old windsurfing sensation then progressed further to register a 20th placing in the third race, which will likely improve his position in the overall standings.

 Hong Kong head coach Rene Appel said Ho had employed good tactical sense to make up for a relatively poor start in the third race.

 Appel said it was time for Ho, who captured the mistral class title in the International Sailing Federation World Junior Championships in Finland last month, to take on a greater challenge after he earned a wild card for the European Championships.

 'We feel it is important to raise the challenge and start setting higher goals,' Appel said.

 'With him having qualified for this year's and next year's World Championships, and vying for a place in the Olympics, it is imperative for him to get exposure to that level of competition as soon as possible,' the Dutchman added.

 'I expect him to try to get around the course as fast as possible, fighting for every metre, and challenge the established pecking order.

 'I also expect him to be in the front line of every start . . . to finish in the top 10 in some individual races.'  Frenchman Julien Bomtemps and Argentine Carlos Espinola are leading the standings in first and second place respectively.

 Meanwhile, Hong Kong's other teenage star, Chan Wei-kei, got off a flying start in the girls' junior event at the championships.

 She came second to Poland's Agata Brygola in all the three opening races and is launching a strong charge for the title.



Ho rises to Euro challenge with gusto