13-year-old world champion Mak Cheuk-wing dominates older rivals to win two Hong Kong Stanley leg titles
The techno queen recovers from a difficult opening day to win the under-15 and under-17 crowns
Newly crowned junior world champion Mak Cheuk-wing lived up to her billing as favourite with the youngster in dominant form in her first domestic event after returning to Hong Kong.
Despite some minor hiccups in the opening day of the Hong Kong circuit Stanley leg, the 13-year-old quickly made amends with an impressive run in the last two races of the girls’ techno to beat several older rivals and claim two titles – the girls under-15 and under-17.
“The world title did give me help, possibly some additional mental power,” said the double champion. “I was a bit nervous in the opening day after picking the wrong course in the first race, but today I am fully relaxed without any pressure to showcase my ability. Perhaps the windier environment also helped as I am used to those condition.”
Mak proved her class in the under-15 event by finishing with only five penalty points after one discard in five races, while her net score in the under-17 event was 25.
The results she scored in the four legs have already earned Mak the under-15 overall title for this year’s Hong Kong circuit with two legs remaining.
The talented windsurfer lifted her first world championship in Italy last week in the techno under-15 competition.
However, Mak said she would still put studies ahead of windsurfing despite her impressive international results.
“Study is more important for me at this stage,” said the second form student at St Stephen’s Girls’ College in Central. “I haven’t thought of a full-time sport career and if I have to do it, it will probably be after I finish my secondary school studies at age of 17 or 18.
“But this will be my long-term goal in windsurfing.”
