Yiman Chen wins Chinese Big Air Championships

Yiman Chen Chinese Championships

Est. reading time: 4min

First of all, congratulations on winning the Chinese Women’s Big Air Championships! Your performance was incredible. How do you feel now after such a big day?

Y: Really excited and proud! I have been training hard for this competition all year and I believe my efforts have paid off! The conditions were very challenging with two days of strong winds and the other two with light winds, but I was quite confident because I have my ideal equipment. I 100% believe in my Reedin gear, which brings me confidence and sends tricks perfectly no matter what the conditions are.

Yiman Chen during the competition

What did your preparation look like on and off the water leading up to the Chinese Championships?

Y: It was a combination of rigorous training and mental conditioning. On the water, I spent lots of time practicing with my Reedin gears, they just can handle a variety of conditions. I focused on learning new tricks and perfecting the old ones, to make sure the feeling of the action. Off the water, I did fitness that included weight training, and flexibility exercises to ensure my body was in peak physical condition. Additionally, I asked friends to take videos for me to analyze my performance and identify areas for improvement. The support from Reedin has been invaluable, as high-performance equipment has allowed me to push my limits and perform at my best.

What was your strategy going into this competition?

Y: Always stay adaptable and focused. The time I checked the wind forecast I knew conditions would be challenging with varying wind speeds. So I prepared several plans to handle each situation I could expect. I also had to pay heavy attention to my opponents during the competition and watch what they did to adjust my strategy in time. Trusting in my Reedin gear to provide the necessary support in any condition was an important part of my strategy.

This marks your fourth win at the Chinese Big Air Championships! How do you maintain such a high level of performance and stay the dominant rider?

Y: Maintaining a high level of performance requires relentless training and self-improvement. I stay focused and set specific goals, constantly challenge myself, and learn from every competition. I also prioritize recovery and listen to my body to avoid injuries, which is essential for staying at the top of my game. It is important to use kites that you fully trust, so you can train and unlock new tricks without any concerns. 

Boardoff by Yiman Chen

What gear were you using during this competition?

Y: During this competition, the kites I used were HyperModel 8m to do loops and SuperModel HTF2 12m to deal with light wind. The board I used is 133cm KevPro to make sure I get more speed and can hold my edge.

Yiman Chen Chinese Championships

You also won the Chinese Twintip Race Championships with another strong performance—congratulations! How did that competition unfold for you?

Y: The Twintip Race competition is an exciting experience. Because this project is more targeted at the general public, many people participated and the competition was very fierce. I was a national racing athlete before, but I haven’t trained for this for 5 years. But the Reedin gears gave me the magic that allowed me to stand out from the competitors and win the race with sheer speed.

Can you tell us about the conditions on the day of the Big Air competition? How windy was it, and what makes the spot ideal for Big Air?

Y: On the day of the Big Air competition, the conditions were quite dynamic. We experienced wind speeds ranging from 25-40 knots, which made it challenging but also exciting. Everyone was trying their best on that day, which added a lot of vibes to the competition. The reason why my hometown Pingtan is so suitable for Big Air is that due to the venturi effect between Pingtan and Taiwan, there is a steady 25-35 knot wind from September to March every year, which provides stable wind, perfect waves, and wide space, allowing riders to accumulate the necessary speed to complete big jumps and loops.