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San San angry at customs hold-up

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Former Olympic champion Lee Lai-shan is becalmed in Hong Kong while mainland Customs officials delay the clearance of the Hong Kong team's sailing boards.

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San San and her teammates have spent the last 10 days waiting for the go-ahead so they can travel to train in Shanwei in Guangdong city, the venue for next month's National Sailing Championships and the All-China Games in October. Her rivals are already in Shanwei getting a feel for the conditions.

The Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong (WAHK) has requested assistance from the Chinese Sports Ministry to obtain Customs' permission, but there has been no reply. San San said yesterday the delay has not only deprived her of training time, but has handed her rivals a psychological boost.

'I would be at a disadvantage if I couldn't go because my rivals will know what the winds are doing. I have become frustrated because, for the past week or so, I've been told we might be able to go the next day but we've been kept waiting. I don't even know what kind of winds are prevalent there now.

'I don't know if we will be able to train under the same wind conditions later this year if we cannot go this time. Also, we've set our training schedule for the remainder of the year so our plan isn't flexible,' said San San, who triumphed in the Sail Auckland regatta last month.

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WAHK administrative director Dennis Chau said they wanted to transport five sailing boards for the five-strong squad across the Huanggang border, where vehicles with permits are allowed to pass through.

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