Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2026 - Opening Day
by Vivian Ngan, RHKYC Media 29 Jan 23:27 NZDT
29 January - 1 February 2026
Sun Hung Kai & Co Kong Kong Raceweek 2026. ILCA class © RHKYC / Guy Nowell
An exciting fleet of 276 entries, comprising 306 sailors, will compete in the Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2026, incorporating the 2026 29er Asian Championship. Now in its 10th edition, the regatta begins tomorrow, bringing together youth sailors from across Asia and around the world for one of the most anticipated events on the international youth dinghy circuit.
A traditional Hong Kong cultural opening ceremony including a Lion Dance was held today, officiated by Hong Kong Race Week Regatta Chairperson Lucy Sutro, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Commodore Adrian Pang, Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China Honorary President Mr. Karl Kwok, Hong Kong Sports Institute High Performance Administration Manager Mr. Samual Chan, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Leisure Manager (Sports Development) Mr. Cheng Yiu Fai and Sun Hung Kai & Co Ltd. Deputy Chief Executive?Officer Mr. Tony Edwards.
Commodore of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Adrian Pang, said " The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has a proud history of organising world-class local and international sailing events, and we are thrilled to once again host this incredible regatta at our Middle Island Water Sports Training Centre.
Regatta Chairperson Lucy Sutro welcomed sailors from all around the world " This regatta truly highlights the growing stature of Hong Kong Race Week on the global youth sailing calendar. With sailors competing side by side from Australia, Great Britain, Japan, and beyond, we foster an environment of camaraderie, skill development, and excellence. Many of our athletes see this event as a vital stepping stone in their preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and we are proud to support their journeys.”
This year, one third of all competitors have travelled from overseas, representing 12 countries and regions including Australia, Chinese Mainland, Greece, Great Britain, Hong Kong (China), Italy, Japan, Macau (China), Puerto Rico, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. With such depth of talent, an exciting week of high intensity racing is expected.
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week continues to serve as a key development platform for aspiring Asian athletes. For Hong Kong, the regatta is also a selection event for the 2026 Asian Games for the 29er and ILCA 4 classes.
A total of 218 local sailors representing nine sailing clubs will race against some of the best international competitors. Among the standout Hong Kong athletes are:
Louis Polson and Ethan Kiu (29er) – 5th place in the U17 division at the 2025 29er World Championship
Seven Hong Kong Team sailors across ILCA 4 and ILCA 6, many with strong international results and competing for Asian Games qualification.
Singapore – The Largest Visiting Team
Singapore sends a formidable delegation of 36 sailors across the Optimist Main Fleet, ILCA 4, and 29er.
Key names include:
- Sean Kum and Nigel Tan (29er) – 2nd and 4th at the 2024 Optimist Asian & Oceania Championship
- Ethan Chia and Desiree Lee (ILCA 4) – 1st and 7th at the 2024 Optimist Asian & Oceania Championship
- Ian Goh (ILCA 4) – winner of ILCA 4 Hong Kong Race Week 2024
- Austin Yeo – silver medallist, Boys’ ILCA 4 (2025 Southeast Asian Games)
- Anya Alessia Zahedi – silver medallist, Girls’ Optimist (2025 Southeast Asian Games)
Their depth of talent is expected to push the competition to new levels.
Chinese Mainland – A Growing Powerhouse
The Chinese Mainland delegation includes 32 sailors from seven sailing clubs, competing across all 10 classes. The regatta provides an important platform for Greater Bay Area youth sailors to gain exposure to high level international racing.
Optimist Superpowers on Display
The Greek team has consistently delivered strong performances at past editions of Hong Kong Race Week, and this year is no exception. Leading the charge is Giorgos Mandilas, who finished 9th at the 2025 Optimist World Championship, and will once again be challenging the top Asian sailors. He is joined by teammates Loukas Silvestriadis and Konstantinos Sofronas, proudly flying the Greek flag.
Another standout to watch is Ines Mendez Larminaux, the sole entry from Puerto Rico. Ines claimed 2nd place in the Girls’ division at the 2025 Optimist World Championship and is expected to be a top contender in Hong Kong.
A Milestone for the 2.4mR Class
For the first time, the 2.4mR class welcomes overseas competitors.
Murray MacDonald (Great Britain) — gold medallist at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships — will make his Hong Kong debut.
Hong Kong’s Fu Yuen Wai, champion of the 2023 and 2024 editions, returns. Fu is also Hong Kong’s first Para Sailing world champion after winning the Liberty class at the 2025 Hansa Class World Championship.
Ten classes are competing in Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025, racing over four racetracks and will sail up to 16 races each over the entire Race Week. The classes include 29er, 2.4mR, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, Optimist Main Fleet, Optimist Intermediate Fleet, RS Feva, RS Tera along with development fleets of Optimist Green Fleet and Fusion Green Fleet.