Sky's the limit for China's kitefoil champion

Approximately a decade ago, Chen Jingyue, then a 12-year-old born and raised on Pingtan island in Southeast China's Fujian province, took her first steps onto a kiteboard.

Little did she know she was embarking on a journey that would see her become one of the country's most formidable kiteboarders and kitefoilers.

On Sept 27, Chen clinched gold in the women's kite (IKA Formula category) at Ningbo Xiangshan Sailing Centre at the ongoing Asian Games.

The event requires riders to utilize a specialized board equipped with a mast and two wings, known as a hydrofoil, to gracefully glide above the water's surface.

Kitefoilers maintain control by gripping a sizable power kite, skillfully harnessing the wind to propel themselves forward. To remain securely fastened to the board, the riders rely on the assistance of foot straps.

Notably, this is kitefoiling's debut at the Asian Games, and it is set to make its Olympic premiere at the 2024 Paris Games.

"Out on the endless sea, we're not skimming right above the water, but rather we're soaring above it," said Chen.

The hydrofoils can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour while coasting above the water's surface, according to Chen, who added that her own top speed is around 65 kph.

From a young age, Chen displayed remarkable athletic talent.

She began her track and field training in primary school, specializing in sprinting.

Around the same time, sailing coach Zhai Dahui had identified Pingtan island as an ideal setting for developing water sports thanks to its abundant marine resources.

He visited local schools to select potential athletes and encourage more young people to give water sports a try. That's when Chen came into the picture.

"I went to a try-out with a 'just give it a shot' attitude, and I was chosen. My parents really supported me and I was able to continue," she recalled.

Since then, she has earned numerous accolades at both domestic and international kite events.

"It satisfies my modest ego and brings me a sense of accomplishment," she said.

However, her athletic career has not always been smooth sailing.

She admitted she was beset by self-doubt when she switched from kiteboarding to kitefoiling at the end of 2018. The transition posed many challenges, as kitefoiling involves riding a board attached to a hydrofoil, preventing it from skimming the water's surface — a departure from the traditional kiteboarding approach.

"At first, I felt frustrated about not being able to skim the water's surface closely, and I found it difficult to control my board," she said."I was also afraid of being hurt by the sharp hydrofoil."

However, thanks a relentless training schedule, Chen's control improved and she grew to relish kitefoiling even more.

In August, Chen finished 11th in the women's kite event at the Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands, securing a spot for China at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite sustaining an injury at the worlds when the hydrofoil grazed her ankle, Chen's confidence has not been dented. "Strangely, this injury has made me less fearful," she said.

She pointed out that now there are many amateur kitefoiling enthusiasts in her hometown, and says she enjoys the attention when curious onlookers stop to watch her training sessions.

China's sailing team has secured an impressive total of six gold and two silver medals at the Games.

"While the water sports we are participating in may not enjoy the same widespread recognition as, say, table tennis, we don't underestimate ourselves because of that. I am immensely proud of our team," said Chen, who is known for her cheery and confident disposition.

"I believe that all members of the sailing team are like this, perhaps because we are in touch with nature every day," she added.