Injuries, bad form and the change of event can not hold back Yin Jian, Olympic runner-up of women's mistral in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, as she is tuning up for the 2008 Games at the Qingdao International Regatta.

A fifth place in the 10th National Games in Oct. 2005 made Yin awfully upset and unsure about her future. She then asked for a nearly three-month leave back home to find the way out.

"I spent one month on treating my injuries in Chengdu and over one month with my families. The feeling being at home was fantastic. This was the second time that I spent the Chinese traditional Spring Festival with my families since 1997." the 28-year-old veteran told Xinhua.

As she said, Yin was easily influenced by her families and friends. When she went home, her parents, relatives and friends all tried to persuade her to continue training as the 2008 Olympic Games on home soil is a rare opportunity for any Chinese athlete.

"I pondered over their words and felt that two years was no big deal. I can handle it." Yin said: "So I went back to the National Team during the winter training last year."

In Nov. 2004, International Sailing Federation decided to replace women's mistral with RS:X, which dealt a blow to Chinese women windsurfers as mistral was one of their strong events.

"I began to steer the new boat last December. And during our competition in Melbourne, Australia, I found it hard to get used to it due to the strong wind there and my then poor physical conditions. Anyhow I won the fourth place overall, which really cheered me up."

Yin added:"When we came back, I was used to the lighter wind in China and gradually accustomed myself to the new event."

Yin's efforts were paid off as she won a silver medal in this year's National Championships and entered into the Qingdao International Regatta, the first test event for the Olympic Regatta, thanks to a wild card.

"For all sailors, they should be able to handle any weather conditions, despite strong or light wind. Most Chinese athletes are used to light winds, but we will also get used to strong winds. During the coming winter training, we will mainly tackle this problem." she said.

Besides Yin, her teammates also did a good job in this regatta. "They are very competitive, so actually there is a stiff competition inside our team as there is only quota for each class."

On her foreign counterparts, Yin tipped French Faustine Merret, Athens Olympic Champion, as the strongest.

"She is an all-around sailor and maintains a stable form," Yin said, adding, "Polish Malgorzata Bialecka is also excellent especially in light winds."

Yin, who has been a windsurfer for more than ten years, can not resist the temptation of an Olympic Games on home soil.

"I haven't reached the top, that's why I am still here and I'm gonna take a try in 2008."

Source: Xinhua