1,915 Swimmers Race Across Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour

New World Harbour Race 2014, title-sponsored by New World Development and organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), took place on Sunday.

This year, a record number of 1,915 swimmers completed the Race, which drew thousands of spectators on both sides of the Harbour.

The 1,500-metre New World Harbour Race 2014 kicked off at the Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon, and finished at the Quarry Bay Park Public Pier. The International Category for global elite swimmers started at 08:30.

Officiating guests at the gun-firing ceremony were Matthew Cheung, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Ma Fung Kwok, Member of Legislative Council, Adrian Cheng and Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, Leonie Ki, Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited, and Ronnie Wong, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association.

A total of 550 contenders in the Racing Group competed in 14 categories. After some fierce battles, Boon Brandon from Singapore clinched the Individual Men’s Championship by clocking 16:43. Chan Ching Man from Hong Kong came first in the Individual Women’s Championship in a time of 17:16.

This year, the Organiser introduced an Invitation Category, with swimmers from government bureaux and the disciplinary forces. Kong Chun Yin of Fire Services Department and Yu Sze Wai, Joyce of Hong Kong Police Force netted the champion titles by clocking 18:42 and 15:51 respectively.

In the K11 Harbour Race Youth Category Boys’ and Girls’ Individual Aged 12-16, Kwan Ho Yin and Chan Tsz Ching won the trophies by finishing in 16:41 and 17:43 respectively. Taking home the men’s trophy of the Open (A) Aged 17-34 Individual was Sin Chin Ting, Keith who finished at 16:48, while Chan Fiona On-Yi, at 16:56, was declared the women’s champion. In the Open (B) Aged 35-49 category, Nortje Craig Andrew was the men’s champion in a time of 17:30, while Pazos Christena Maria finished in 20:28 to win the women’s race. Trophies for the Open (C) Aged 50 or Above Men’s and Women’s Individual went to Wray Martin Lawrence, who finished in 19:45, and Coggins Lynda Anne, who finished in 17:46.

Ronnie Wong, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, said, “With a long history, the cross harbour race is a major sporting event in Hong Kong. To popularise this iconic event in the community and encourage more swimmers to take part, we have introduced the reserve list this year and fully utilise the quota. We place great emphasis on swimmer safety with enhanced measures. We work to make the Race even bigger and better in the years to come, drawing even more swimmers and taking the event to the next level.”

New World Harbour Race attracted swimmers from all walks of life. The oldest swimmer, at the age of 75, successfully completed the Race along with the youngest participant, aged just 12. 1,905 swimmers finished the Race within 1 hour and 15 minutes.