QINGDAO: Xu Lijia's debut at the Olympics ended well Tuesday, earning her country a bronze medal in sailing in Qingdao.

"I'm not feeling bad winning a bronze, I did my best," said Xu about her victory just moments afterward.

"I hope this is only the beginning. I would like to see more Chinese youths getting involved in sailing."

Sailor Xu Lijia of China races to her bronze medal in the Laser Radial class at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 19, 2008 in Qingdao, China. [Agencies]

But the 21-year-old's bronze in Laser Radial sailor wasn't easy. She had a rough start to the Olympic competition on the opening day of the Laser Radial event at the Olympic sailing competition, placing below expectations at 14th.

But steadily, she pushed hard and was in third place by the ninth round, the last race before the finals.

Xu is currently ranked world No 2 in her class and was one of the pre-Games medal favorites in the Olympics sailing regatta.

In her short career, Xu has rewritten Chinese sailing history with many notable accomplishments. In 2006, she won world gold in the Laser Radial class in Califonia - the first by a Chinese in an Olympic class.

She was unable to compete in Athens in 2004 due to health reasons.

"Since then, I have become aware that sailing is an indispensable part of my life," she said.

That's why stepping up on to the podium in her home country has made the moment all the more meaningful for the Olympic rookie.

But the win took a lot of hard work and adaptation to Qingdao's water conditions. Xu didn't do well at the 2006 and 2007 Qingdao International Regattas. She placed 11th, after failing to adjust to Qingdao's light wind conditions.

"But, I don't blame the wind, everyone is facing it and I know I still have to improve my sailing skills," she said then.

Xu Lijia of China poses with her bronze medal after the Laser Radial class sailing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Qingdao, Shandong province, August 19, 2008. [Agencies]

Xu first learned how to swim at the age of 4. She switched to sailing after meeting sailing coach Zhang Jing, who suggested she try the sport based on talent for it that Xu showed early on.

Under Zhang's advice, Xu decided to give the sport a whirl. She soon fell in love with sailing at age 12. Sailing has since been her life - and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Sailing is all worth it," said Xu.