Preparing for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
12 members of the Hong Kong Sailing Team aim to win medals
The sailing events of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will start on September 23, and the
Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China (HKSF) together with the Hong Kong Sports Institute
(HKSI) held the “Meet the Media Session – Hong Kong Sailing Athletes” at the Sports Complex,
Hong Kong Sports Institute today. A strong team of 12 athletes will represent Hong Kong, China
in the sailing events at the Asian Games, including Nicholas Halliday in the single-handed Men’s
dinghy (ILCA 7) class; Stephanie Norton in the single-handed Women’s dinghy (ILCA 6) class;
Akira Sakai and Russell Aylsworth in the Men’s Skiff (49er) class; Emily Polson and Tiffany Mak
in the Women’s Skiff (49erFX) class; Ethan Kiu and Louis Polson as well as Chloe Kong and
McCarley Wong in the Boys’ & Girls’ Skiff (29er) class; and Zixi Huang and Tiago Salgado in the
Girls’ and Boys’ dinghy (ILCA 4) class.
VIP guests invited to the media session included Dr. Karl Kwok, BBS; as well as Head Coach
Harris Tsolis and other coaches Rory James Godman, and Nikolaos Papageorgiou. In his
welcome speech, Honorary President Dr. Karl Kwok expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the
steadfast support from the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Mr. Tony Choi. Head Coach Harris
Tsolis also highlighted that the team’s hard work is clearly paying off with standout
achievements, alongside young rising talents who have already achieved significant results at
an international level.
Nicholas Halliday enters the Asian Games campaign following an extraordinary run of form.
Halliday secured a historic Gold medal at the 15th National Games—the first-ever National
Games gold in Hong Kong sailing history—alongside capturing the 2025 ILCA Asian
Championship title and placing 10th at the 2026 ILCA 7 World Championships, marking Hong
Kong’s best-ever result in an Olympic Dinghy Class Senior Worlds. Joining him in single-handed
racing is Hangzhou Asian Games Silver medalist Stephanie Norton (ILCA 6), who added a
Bronze at the 2025 ILCA Asian Championships to her accolades. In the double-handed classes,
Hangzhou Asian Games 49er Bronze medalists Akira Sakai and Russell Aylsworth continue to
challenge the Asian’s best, while Emily Polson and Tiffany Mak (49erFX) carry strong
momentum after finishing 4th at the National Games and 7th at the 2026 49er Junior World
Championship.
In the 29er class, Ethan Kiu and Louis Polson enjoyed a brilliant year by capturing Gold at both
the 2026 29er Asian Championship and U17 European Championship, alongside a World U17
Boys Bronze. Fellow 29er pair Chloe Kong and McCarley Wong delivered equally impressive
performances, claiming Bronze at both the 2026 29er Asian Overall and European
Championship Female Division.
Meanwhile, ILCA 4 sailors Zixi Huang—the youngest member of the team and winner of the
2025 ILCA 4 Asian Championship in girls division —and Tiago Salgado (2nd in 2025 ILCA 4
Asians Boys U16) have proven their capability with solid 6th and 12th place finishes respectively
at the 2026 ILCA4 World Championships.
With a powerful mix of proven Asian Games medalists and rising youth talents, the Hong Kong
Sailing Team finished its intensive preparations under the coaches in Japan last week. With
strong momentum across all classes, the team is fully focused and eager to bring home medals
and honors for HKG from Aichi-Nagoya.
| MEN’s Events | Equipment |
|
|
| Men’s Dinghy | ILCA 7 | Halliday Nicholas Bezy | |
| Men’s Skiff | 49er | Sakai Akira Luke | |
| Aylsworth Russell Williams | |||
| Boy’s Skiff | 29er | Kiu Ethan Lachlan | |
| Polson Louis Oliver | |||
| Boy’s Dinghy | ILCA 4 | Cheng de Villemor Salgado Tiago | |
| WOMEN’s Events | Equipment |
|
|
| Women’s Dinghy | ILCA 6 | Norton Stephanie Louise | |
| Women’s Skiff | 49erFX | Mak Hiu Tung Tiffany | |
| Polson Emily Grace | |||
| Girl’s Skiff | 29er | Kong Chloe | |
| Wong McCarley | |||
| Girl’s Dinghy | ILCA 4 | Huang Zixi |
About HKSF
The Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China (HKSF) is the national authority for the sport of
sailing in Hong Kong. Its mission is to develop sailing in Hong Kong, and to advance the
interests of the boating community.
The HKSF administers an extensive training scheme that sees thousands of members of the
public learn to sail every year at one of the many recognized training centers spread across the
region. Our scheme also promotes excellence with higher level courses leading to
representation at national and international level.
Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China