London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Hong Kong windsurfer Chan places eighth as China’s Lu bags gold

Hong Kong windsurfer Chan places eighth as China’s Lu bags gold

‘You really changed my life by trusting that I would still be able to compete at the Olympics,’ says Hayley Chan Hei-man of former coach Rene Appel after solid finish in Enoshima Yacht Harbour.

Hong Kong’s Hayley Chan Hei-man finished eighth in the overall women’s RS: X fleet after an impressive seventh-place finish in the medal race final in the Enoshima Yacht Harbour on Saturday.

The 30-year-old secured her best-ever Olympic performance after narrowly qualifying for the final two days earlier. The double points showdown allowed Chan, who finished 12th in her Games debut in London 2012 despite having being hospitalised weeks beforehand, to maintain her placing after the 12 regular races throughout the week. She finished on 95 net points, just two behind Danish compatriot Laerke Buhl-Hansen.

Chan individually thanked all the coaches – especially former Hong Kong windsurfing head coach Rene Appel and incumbent Chan King-yin – who helped her throughout her career in what is likely to be her final Olympic outing. She said in the lead-up that she was ready to think about coaching and starting a family.

“Thanks to all my coaches for believing in my Olympic dream. Everyone has really taken care in this circle. Rene, I really want to thank you, even though you’re not in Hong Kong at the moment and you’re sailing around the world. You really changed my life by trusting that I would still be able to compete at the Olympics, even though I had that accident. Thank you for passing me onto Ah Ying [Chan] because he has definitely changed my life,” Chan said after the race.

“Thanks to Ah Ying, although he can get on my nerves, but I really feel he has helped me realise my dream to get to the Olympics.

“We learned step by step and I’ve learned so much about myself. Thanks for helping me on this path, and you giving 100 per cent at every training, maybe your hunger is even bigger than mine. And thanks to the Hong Kong people.”

How they finished


China’s Lu Yunxiu won the gold medal after a solid third-place outing in the medal race, while Charline Picon, of France, and Emma Wilson, of Great Britain, finished with silver and bronze, respectively.

The 25-year-old Lu became only the second Chinese athlete to win in the category, after Yin Jian at the 2008 Beijing Games. The Chinese women also won silver at Rio 2016 (Chen Peina), Athens 2004 (Yin) and Barcelona 1992 (Xhang Xiaodong).

Lu Yunxiu, of China, celebrates after winning gold in the women’s RS: X windsurfing medal race.


Hong Kong’s own Lee Lai-shan, who was coached by Appel, famously became the city’s first Olympic gold medallist after clinching gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Hong Kong men’s representative Michael Cheng Chun-leung did not make the final round, finishing 13th overall, a drop from his eighth-place finish at Rio 2016.

Competitors in the women’s windsurfer RS: X medal race.


The world governing body already decided to replace RS: X with new sailboarding edition, iFoil, for the 2024 Paris Games.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×