Hansa Liberty winner

A grey, drizzly day in New South Wales turned into a milestone for Sailability Hong Kong when Foo Yuen Wai was confirmed 2025 Hansa Liberty Open World Champion. Equal on points with Australia's Charles Weatherly (who is an able sailor), he took the title on a count back of most races won. Vera Voorbach of the Netherlands finished just one point behind Foo and Weatherly.

The final of the championships took place on Saturday, the 29th of March 2025.

Foo Yuen Wai joined Hong Kong's Sailability in 2013 and competed in the 2014 Asian Para Games, winning a bronze medal in the 2.4mR class. Last year he won 1st place in the Hansa Asia Pacific Regional Championships Liberty class, in Brisbane.

Foo contracted polio as a 3-year-old child and has used a wheelchair most of his life. A father of three, he works as a financial consultant in the insurance industry and, before taking up sailing, also competed in the Asian Para Games 2010 in pistol shooting. Speaking at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club near Sydney, which hosted this week's world championships, Foo Yuen Wai said he came to the championships with a target, a clear goal in his mind, to win. "I knew what I had to do, and was prepared to fight for it like I was fighting for my life."

The Sailability Hong Kong coaching plan includes sailing techniques, eating well, getting good sleep, and developing a positive mindset. This was tested in Day 2 of the championships when a crisis hit. Foo knew he was handling the boat correctly but it still wasn't moving smoothly through the water. So he made the decision to withdraw from the race to solve the problem. It was a difficult decision but it probably saved his challenge.

It turned out that there was seaweed stuck to the rudder. As a result he was placed last in that race but, with the boat moving freely again, he was able to come 2nd in the final race of the day to sustain his place on the leaderboard.

On Day 5, conditions were gusty and eventually the races were abandoned and did not count in the championship. Incidentally, Foo was confident he could have achieved a higher placing in the final had it not been called off.

What are Foo's plans for his sailing future? "What I really want to see," he said, "is for sailing to be reinstated to the Paralympic Games."

Kay Rawbone, Sailability Hong Kong's CEO and Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China council member, has witnessed Foo Yuen Wai's progress right from the beginning. "I've seen his determination to be the best in the 2.4mR division and all the Hansa classes we have in Hong Kong. His attitude and commitment have not wavered since he first got into a boat in November 2013. He is always willing to share his knowledge and, eventually, I would like to see him mentoring and coaching younger members of the squad."

Hong Kong also won a silver medal in the Hansa 303 para two-person international championship for athletes with intellectual impairment. Leo Purdie and Joel Suarez Felipe achieved 2nd place. Leo has been sailing with Sailability Hong Kong since the age of eight. Leo, with buddy sailor Joel, has worked hard to gain a place at the world championship by taking part in previous world championships in Japan and Portugal.

Leo's father, Sean Purdie, said: "The whole family is thrilled he is a part of the world sailing community. It is a joy to see Leo develop like this."

The achievements were also special for coach Ed Tang.

Finally, thanks should go to the LCSD and SWD for their funding which enabled the sailors to take part in the championships. Full results for the  2025 Hansa World Championships results can be found at   :   https://hansaworlds.org/

About the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China

The Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China (HKSF) is the national authority for the sport of sailing in Hong Kong. Its purpose is to build and develop the sport and encourage a passion for sailing among the people of Hong Kong. The sport of sailing is accessible, inclusive and open to all, regardless of physical ability, whether young or old, beginner or advanced, looking for weekend sailing, competitive racing or ocean cruising.

The HKSF administers an extensive training scheme that sees thousands of people learn to sail every year at recognized training centres spread across the region. Our scheme also promotes excellence with higher level courses leading to representation at national and international level.

Contact the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China at https://sailing.org.hk/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingfederationofhongkongchina/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingfederationofhkchina/

Or speak to Deyon Lai. Tel: 2504 8163 / 6103 6690 or Email: pcm@sailing.org.hk