Newly crowned Hong Kong champions call on more youngsters to take up windsurfing as they eye Asian Games selection race

Winners Au Ying-leung and Ma Kwan-ching hope dominant wins will increase talent pool and close the gap between their international rivals

‘I hope we can have more events around Hong Kong to bring people closer to the sport,’ second-placed Cheng Ching-yin says

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Hong Kong men’s windsurfers battle for position during the final day of the Hong Kong Championships in Stanley on Sunday. Photo: Panda Man / Takumi Images

Published: 6:30pm, 19 Dec 2021Updated: 2:47pm, 7 Jan 2022

The future of Hong Kong windsurfing is in safe hands after 19-year-old Jason Au Ying-leung sealed top spot at the 2021 Haitong International Open Windsurfing Championships at a nippy Stanley Main Beach on Sunday.

Au, who led throughout the four-day event, was crowned men’s overall champion after the final round, dropping just 29 net penalty points in six days, putting him in a favourable position for the coaches’ national team selection race in a week’s time. Cheng Ching-yin, 22, won the marathon race to ensure second place, while rounding up the cash prizes was 24-year-old Kikabhoy Rafeek in third.

It was a similarly dominant outing for women’s champion Mui Ma Kwan-ching, who won all her races ahead of the final, dropping an impressive 19 points overall. The 24-year-old Asian Games team silver medallist was followed by Mak Cheuk-wing and two-time Olympian Hayley Chan Hei-man in second and third, respectively.

The goal is unanimous for all men’s and women’s team prospects: win the December 27 selection race and earn a spot at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. That would set up a perfect platform to work towards the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where Hong Kong could make waves in the newly introduced iQFOiL class.

Hong Kong men’s windsurfing champion Jason Au Ling-yeung at the Hong Kong Open Windsurfing Championships in Stanley Main Beach. Photo: Panda Man / Takumi Images

“I hope to win the selection race,” said Au, winning the postponed Open in his first senior appearance. “Two years ago I was still a youth windsurfer because I was under 18. I want to continue improving to get good results for Hong Kong at international events.”

But the long-term objective for Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong athletes is to foster a sustainable conveyor belt of young prospects – of which the likes of Au and former junior world champion Mak are proof.

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