Hong Kong’s windsurfers dominate early action at Asian Sailing Championships in Abu Dhabi
- Michael Cheng Chun-Leung, Ngai Wai-yan, Cheng Ching-yin and Ma Kwan-ching all in action as part of Asian Games preparation
- Competition has been hit by coronavirus pandemic with regional powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea all failing to send teams
Two days into the Asian Sailing Championships being held at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, and three of Hong Kong’s four Asian Games windsurfers are off to a flying start, topping the rankings in three categories.
And Michael Cheng Chun-Leung, Ngai Wai-yan, Cheng Ching-yin and Ma Kwan-ching are hoping to make the most of the only regional event before the Games in Hangzhou in September.
There is less competition than they might have expected though, with athletes from several countries, including China, Japan and South Korea, missing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Because of the pandemic, the Malaysian and Thai windsurfing teams originally signed up for the competition, but it is a pity that they didn’t come in the end,” Chan King-yin, Hong Kong’s head coach, said.
Ultimately only six teams – Oman, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Pakistan, and Hong Kong – took part in the windsurfing event. In the RS:X women’s division there are only two competitors, and while the IQFOIL women’s division has six competitors, five are from Singapore.
With the RS:X class ending its Olympic stint at last year’s Tokyo Games, a new IQFOIL class will be introduced at the 2024 Paris Games. The 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games will feature both classes as a transition arrangement. There is only one Hong Kong spot for each class at the Asian Games.
There are 16 races scheduled in the six-day competition. The RS:X had a total of seven races in the first two days, two-time Olympian Michael Cheng and compatriot Ngai dominated in both men’s and women’s divisions with a clean sweep.