Hong Kong Sevens braced for Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae as city issues No 8 typhoon warning

Rugby officials monitoring developments and hopeful of avoiding disruption by weather as tournament returns after multiple cancellations during pandemic

CEO calls it ‘one of many challenges that are giving the Hong Kong Sevens – and Hong Kong itself – an opportunity to demonstrate our resilience’

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The Sevens is set to return this weekend - severe weather permitting. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 2:29pm, 2 Nov 2022Updated: 11:53am, 3 Nov 2022

Organisers of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens were on Wednesday monitoring the weather forecast as Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae bore down on the city and forced the cancellation of the day’s horse racing at Happy Valley.

News that the Hong Kong Observatory had raised the typhoon signal No 8 on Wednesday afternoon prompted Hong Kong Jockey Club to cancel the evening race meeting, saying it had been following developments and, in consideration of staff safety and logistical issues, would not proceed.

The storm brought into play the unthinkable possibility of this weekend’s Sevens being disrupted if a typhoon warning remained in place or damage had been caused.

Despite Wednesday’s traditional photo call of team captains at the harbourside having to be moved indoors, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) remained upbeat about the tournament’s prospects.

The 16 captains hold a photo call with a difference before the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: KLC fotos for World Rugby

“The Sevens is famous for kicking off rain or shine – and we mean it,” chief executive Robbie McRobbie said. “However, the HKRU continues to monitor the development of Tropical Cyclone Nalgae.