Xu Lijia of China competes in the laser radial medal race of the Beijing Olympic Games sailing event in Olympic co-host city Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 19, 2008. Xu clinched the bronze medal in this event.[Xinhua]

Chinese sailor Xu Lijia secured a bronze medal of Laser Radial here on Tuesday, which was the first sailing medal for the host.

It was also China's first Olympic medal in the Laser Radial class, which made its Olympic debut in this regatta.

"I'm very happy to get the first medal for the Chinese sailing team. I hope there will be more new Chinese faces in international sailing arenas," said the 20-year-old Xu.

"I was so excited when the people on the breakwater shouted to me. I experienced what I saw on TV when other Chinese medalists received their medals," she added.

Ranked third after nine preliminary races of the 28-boat Laser Radial fleet, Xu Lijia displayed her calmness and determination right from the beginning of the medal race.

Xu Lijia of China celebrates with Chinese national flag after clinched the bronze medal in the laser radial medal race of the Beijing Olympic Games sailing event in Olympic co-host city Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 19, 2008.[Xinhua]

She finished both fourth by the first two marks to block her nearest rival Australian. She moved to the third at the finishing line, netting 50 points in total to seal up the bronze.

"Alough the wind was very light today, I had good strategies. I just had to stay in front of Australia to keep my third place," she said after her first Olympic sailing medal race.

"After 11 years of hardship, I finally got what I waited for. I hope this is only the beginning. I hope I can get better results in the future," said the Shanghai native.

Xu Lijia used to be a swimmer and was introduced to sailing at the age of 10 by a coach of the Shanghai sailing team. She picked it up quickly and was attracted to it since then, because she found sailing more interesting than swimming.

Despite her age, Xu Lijia is a big name in Chinese sailing and is one of the most-often mentioned athlete on the website of International Sailing Federation (ISAF), thanks to her spectacular performances in various major international Laser Radial events.

Sailors compete in the laser radial medal race of the Beijing Olympic Games sailing event in Olympic co-host city Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 19, 2008. Anna Tunnicliffe from the United States claimed the title in this event.[Xinhua]

In 2006, Xu Lijia became the first Chinese sailor to win a Laser Radial class world title after her victory at the Laser Radial World championships in California.

Her wonderful performance in the subsequent World Championship in Portugal made the ISAF website dedicate a special report on her, hailing her the Rising New Star of China.

However, talking about sailing on the home soil for her first Olympic sailing, Xu Lijia admitted that she was quite nervous before the opening race.

"I finished 24th in the opening race.It's really frustrating. I thought to myself that I had little advantage in the light-wind Qingdao," said Xu, adding that strong wind was her preference.

"I was severely scolded by my coach for my failure in the opening. Somehow, his hard words made me awake. I realized that it is not the condition but my concentration on the race that counts," she said.

After the discard of the worse race result, Xu Lijia quietly made her way to be the top three of the board. Among the rest eight races, four of them were among the top five and only two races results were double digit.

"Sailing is hard work, but also lots of fun. I really enjoy it," said the slender girl with a bit tan on her face.

For her future plan, Xu Lijia said , "I will be competing in the China National Sports Games and well prepare for the 2012 Olympics after that."

But before all these plans, she said she would have a big celebration of her 21-year-old birthday on Aug. 30.

"The medal is definitely the best birthday gift," said a beaming Xu.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)