Fenella Ng Gar-loc is used to racing against other rowers - now she is racing against time.
She has less than a month to prepare for the most important event of her sculling career, one that could realise her dream of becoming a two-time Olympian in different sports.
At the beginning of the year Ng - fresh from double silver success at the Asian Games - had every reason to be confident about next month's Asian Championships in Naganuma, Japan. She knew a top-three finish would secure qualification for the Sydney Olympics and a unique sporting double after she represented Hong Kong as a swimmer in Los Angeles and Seoul.
After her Asian Games efforts - silver medals in both lightweight and heavyweight singles - the Japan event appeared a formality.
But 1999 brought only frustration. A mystery virus severely disrupted her training and resulted in a disappointing showing at last month's World Championships.
'I can't take it for granted now. I have got only four weeks and my priority is to get strong,' said Ng during a break in training at the Sha Tin rowing centre.
