Windsurfing provides blueprint for Hong Kong's struggling sports

Ten years ago when he was nine, Andy Leung Ho-tsun decided to follow in the footsteps of Lee Lai-shan and joined the Hong Kong Windsurfing Association's development programme.

Last Sunday, Leung glided to the pinnacle of the sport at junior level when he was crowned RSX Youth world champion in Pattaya, Thailand. He is the sixth junior world champion produced by Hong Kong since San San stormed to Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The previous five are Ho Chi-ho (1999), Chan King-yin (2001), Yu Wing-ho (2003), Ma Kwok-po (2006) and the only girl, Chan Hei-man (2006). The latter, who was crowned under-17 junior world champion, came close to also winning the under-19 title in Pattaya, but was pipped by Italian Lara Linares.

The latest success by Leung has cemented the reputation of windsurfing as one of the most successful sports in Hong Kong - and the best part is it has been achieved with homegrown talent.

Unlike other sports in town who have looked across the border, or waters, for imported talent to carry the flag, board sailing has shown that local boys and girls can hold their own on the international stage.

A large part of this has to do with San San's golden achievement. By going down in folklore as the only athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for Hong Kong, the Cheung Chau resident also became a role model for future generations - like Andy Leung.