HK alpine skiing duo get ready for Olympic action

For the first time, Hong Kong will be sending more than one skier to the Winter Olympics.

Adrian Yung and Audrey King will be competing in two events – the Giant Slalom and Slalom – in the Games in Beijing next month.

The pair, who are undergoing training in Bosnia, told reporters via video link that they are honoured to represent Hong Kong in the upcoming Games.

“It’s definitely my greatest honour, and it feels incredible to have my goal that I’ve had from very young to be achieved,” he said.

Yung, 17, said he started skiing when he was 2, and went on to take part in races because he was “a big fan of speed and adrenaline”.

He said he would try not to put pressure on himself in Beijing. “For now, I think entering the top 50 would be pretty decent, and if I were to enter the top 30 that’d definitely be an absolute dream come true.”

King, 19, qualified for the Winter Games despite suffering an injury in late 2020.

“Because of all the injuries… it has been a lot of hard work and ups and downs. So when I found out [that I qualified for the Olympics] it was pure joy,” she said.

The athlete said she is taking a gap year to concentrate on skiing. “I think it was definitely a really good decision to take this time off and [be] away from school just to see how much I could improve, if I fully dedicate my time to skiing.”

Edmond Yue, chairman of the Ski Association of Hong Kong, said the duo will be heading to Beijing at the end of the month for the Winter Games that open on February 4.