Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Kerala Cousins Win India’s First Asian Games Sailing Silver
Prince Noble and Manu Francis are cousins from Kerala who sail together.
They first learned about sailing near the sea and backwaters around Kochi.
They have practiced as a team for about 10 years.
At their first Asian Games, they won a silver medal in the men’s skiff event.
This was India’s first Asian Games silver medal in that sailing event.
Noble’s father, who was a fisherman, died in the 2018 Kerala floods.
Noble says his mother, family, coaches and supporters helped him continue.
Strong winds made the final races difficult, but the cousins still finished second.
They hope their medal encourages more people in India to learn about sailing.
Prince Kurisinkal Noble and Manu Francis won India’s first Asian Games silver medal in men’s skiff sailing.
The cousins from Kochi have sailed together for about a decade and trained with the Army Yachting Node in Mumbai.
Noble’s fisherman father died during Kerala’s devastating 2018 floods while Noble was competing in Germany.
The pair moved from first-place contention to second after strong winds affected the final races.
They hope their achievement will raise awareness and interest in sailing across India.
- Who
- Indian sailors Prince Kurisinkal Noble and Manu Francis, cousins from Kochi.
- What
- They won India’s first Asian Games silver medal in men’s skiff sailing.
- When
- On Thursday, during their Asian Games debut; one report’s embedded post is dated October 1, 2026.
- Where
- At the sailing competition near Kaiyoh Yacht Harbor in Gamagori City, with training linked to Mumbai’s Army Yachting Node.
- Why
- Their long partnership, sailing experience and connection to the sea helped them compete; they also want to increase interest in sailing in India.
- Medal
- Silver
- Event
- Men’s Skiff 49er Dinghy
- Historic result
- India’s first Asian Games silver medal in men’s skiff sailing
- Athletes
- Prince Kurisinkal Noble and Manu Francis
- Asian Games experience
- Both competed in the Games for the first time
- Previous result
- Asian Championships bronze in 2023
- Partnership
- The cousins have sailed together for about 10 years
- Final-race conditions
- Gusts reportedly reached 14–15 knots
