China's Yin Jian put herself firmly in medal contention after she stormed to the top of the standings in the women's Mistral windsurfing event by winning both races held on the Saronic Gulf yesterday.
Hong Kong's Lee Lai-shan remained fourth overall, behind Alessandra Sensini of Italy and France's Faustine Merret, second and third respectively. But San San, as Lee is also known, improved her chances by closing the gap on the leader to just five points. She was lagging by seven points overnight.
'It was a very tough day and very nerve-wracking,'' said Hong Kong coach Rene Appel. 'San San fought like a lion and sailed well but so did the girl from China who loves these light wind conditions. It has all got close but the series is still wide open.'
With three races left in the 11-race series, San San now knows she cannot afford to finish behind the top three if she is to keep alive her chances of winning a second Olympic medal. 'She basically has to stay ahead of these three in the remaining three races. It all depends on how they perform. It is too close to call right now,' said Appel.
San San finished race seven, the opening race yesterday, closely behind winner Yin. But in race eight she had to settle for fourth position with Amelie Lux of Germany, the silver medallist in Sydney, and Kiwi Barbara Kendall claiming second and third spots respectively.
The Hong Kong ace now has an aggregate of 26 points, five behind Yin. Defending gold medallist Sensini and Merret are both on 22 points.
