Sailing to glory: Nicholas Halliday steers HK to first National Games gold

With the 15th National Games of China set to officially open on November 9, Hong Kong sailor Nicholas Halliday has already made history — capturing the city’s first gold medal in the men’s ILCA 7 (Laser) event with a net score of 33 points.

The victory is being hailed as a “zero-to-one breakthrough” by the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and local sports academics, signifying that Hong Kong’s sailing sport has reached a new level of excellence.

Speaking on a radio program on Wednesday, David Fan, vice president of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, said the ILCA 7 finals consisted of 11 races, with each sailor dropping their worst result.

Despite winning only one race, Halliday’s consistent form across all others — averaging third place overall — secured him the top podium spot, he said.

“The wind conditions during the finals were relatively weak, which was slightly unfavourable for Nicholas since he has been training mainly in Europe, where the wind is generally stronger,” Fan said. “But his on-the-spot performance and mental composure were remarkable. He stayed focused, adjusted quickly, and sailed with precision to claim gold.”

Calm consistency pays off

Fan explained that sailing is a sport that relies heavily on natural forces and athlete technique — with elements such as wind power, water currents, wave handling, and tactical decisions all influencing results.

“Strong psychological quality is essential,” he added. “Fortunately, Nicholas received unwavering support from his coaches and family, helping him maintain a steady mindset and perform to his full potential.”

He noted that the preliminary rounds were raced under stronger level-5 winds, while the finals saw much lighter conditions, adding to the challenge.

“Nicholas’s years of disciplined training and adaptability allowed him to perform steadily under all kinds of weather and water conditions, which was key to his victory,” Fan said.

Fan credited the coaching team for designing a high-intensity training plan that elevated Halliday’s performance this year.

“He grew up in a family passionate about sailing, and his dedication, perseverance, and determination have all contributed to his success,” he said.

While celebrating Halliday’s gold, Fan also highlighted the commendable performances of Hong Kong’s other seven sailing team members, who finished fourth and fifth in their respective events.

“This is only the beginning,” he said. “We hope this achievement will inspire more progress, encourage Hong Kong to host more international sailing competitions, and strengthen the city’s position as a hub for major sporting events.” He added that he hopes the government will provide greater support to further develop the sport.

A boost for Hong Kong’s athletes

Lobo Louie Hung-tak, senior lecturer at the Department of Health and Physical Education at the Education University of Hong Kong, called Halliday’s gold a “new milestone” for Hong Kong sports.

“In past National Games, public attention often centred on cycling heroes like Wong Kam-po and Sarah Lee Wai-sze. This gold in sailing represents a brand-new breakthrough,” Louie said.

He added that winning Hong Kong’s first gold medal early in the competition sends a strong, positive message and will help boost public enthusiasm and athlete morale.

“Sailing often requires competing overseas to gain experience and adapt to different environments, and it’s an expensive sport with high equipment and training costs,” he said.

“I believe both the government and the sailing federation will invest more resources to further nurture this sport and its young talents.” Louie added.