Incheon 2014 Asian Games - South Korea claims four gold medals

by Warwick Downes on 3 Oct 2014 The Asian Sailing Games have now been completed for 2014 in Incheon, Korea and the medals awarded in 14 events.

Top of the table is Korea with four gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Thailand had the highest medal count with one gold, two silver and six bronze medals. Hong Kong fared extremely well with two gold’s and two silver which were all in windsurfing and one bronze medal for our experienced Hobie 16 team of Tong Shing and Kit Tong.

Tong Shing has now become the oldest medal winner for Hong Kong at the Asian Games at the ripe age of 55 years. He says “there is still competition in me yet” and proving that, he and Kit will compete in the Asian Beach Games in November at Karon Beach, Phuket, Thailand.

Their regatta was a model of consistency with only second and third places in all 12 races. It was disappointing for them not to manage a first place result but also they were only two points off the silver medal as the Thai team held on with an OCS and DSQ hanging over their heads.

The Hobie 16 winners were the Koreans who have improved over the past few years with good coaching and they had a very solid regatta being seven points clear at the top.

Our 420 men’s team came to this event with a very difficult task as their main competitors had recently raced in the ISAF Youth Worlds in 420’s and placed first, second and third at that event. None the less, Tse Sui Lun and Chik Ho Yin sailed a magnificent regatta and took it to these top three teams. They placed two points off third overall in fourth place and displayed excellent sailing skills in this very competitive fleet.

Our match racing team showed good starting technique and first windward beats but were let down with some poor gybing and protecting a lead. They made some small mistakes which costs a lot in match racing as the races themselves are of such short duration. The finals and gold medal was won by the strong Singaporean team helmed by the experienced Maxi Soh against the Koreans.

Overall, a strong showing from the Hong Kong sailing team with good support from the coaches, the HKSI physiotherapist Stephanie Au and the Hong Kong’s Sports Federation and Olympic Committee Click here for results.