Hong Kong sailor Nicholas Halliday eyes Los Angeles, but fears for sport’s Olympic future
Halliday plotting a ‘much better’ performance in 2028 Games after finishing 24th on his Olympic debut in Paris
Hong Kong sailor Nicholas Halliday has set his sights on the Los Angeles Olympics but acknowledged his Laser class would be fighting for its Games future.
Halliday finished 24th on his Olympic debut this summer in Paris, and has already targeted a “much better” showing in four years, with the sport guaranteed its place on the 2028 programme.
Sailing is drawing attention after a British crew skippered by four-times Olympic champion Ben Ainslie beat Italy to win the Louis Vuitton Cup and qualify for this month’s America’s Cup against champions New Zealand.
Halliday has been hooked on the action, off the coast of Barcelona, and noted how television coverage of the races provided clarity and excitement for viewers.
By contrast, Olympic regattas, Halliday said, were “difficult to watch” because of the complex nature of races and complications around packaging the action for broadcast.
“We’re really under pressure in the Laser [for ongoing Olympic inclusion], because it’s such a slow sport, and it’s really hard to follow because there are so many boats,” Halliday said.
