Xu Lijia started her sporting life as a swimmer at age 6, but switched to sailing four years later.

"It was fascinating when I was first introduced to sailing. It was so much fun sailing on the ocean, compared with swimming back and forth in a small pool," she said.

After winning several world championships, in 2002 she was forced to take six months away from the sport after surgery to remove a tumor on her left thighbone. The hiatus made her realize how much she loves sailing. "During the break, I found myself missing sailing every day. I can't live without it," she said. "I love being free on the ocean."