New World Harbour Race 2014 Fierce Battles between International and Local Elite Swimmers 1,915 Swimmers Cross Victoria Harbour
- A record number of 1,915 swimmers take part in the iconic annual sporting event and contestant attendance exceeds 95%
- 1,441 Leisure Group participants enjoy their first swim across the harbour with safety tow floats
New World Harbour Race 2014, title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited (New World Group) and organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), was successfully held today. New World Harbour Race is the fourth year that the signature cross-harbour swim was held. 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 8:30 in the morning. 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.”
Adrian Cheng, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, title sponsor of the New World Harbour Race 2014, said, “We are delighted to have witnessed the remarkable development of the cross harbour race into an iconic sporting event since its revival just four years ago. We collaborate with HKASA for New World Harbour Race to spread positive energy and promote a healthy lifestyle in the community. And it is very encouraging that five young swimmers from the New World Springboard sustainable community programme completed the Race this year. We will continue to develop more young swimmers and hope to see them compete in this incredible event.”
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.
Full results of New World Harbour Race 2014 will be available on the New World Harbour Race website at www.hkharbourrace.com.
About New World Development Company Limited
New World Development Company Limited
Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group", Stock Code: 17.HK) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A diversified holding company with a focus on property development, New World Group’s core business areas include property development, infrastructure and service, department store and hotel. As at 30 June 2014, the total asset value of the Group amounted to HK$369.2billion.
As at 30 June 2014, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61.3% in NWS Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 659.HK), approximately 69.7% in New World China Land Limited (Stock Code: 917.HK) and approximately 72.3% in New World Department Store China Limited (Stock Code: 825.HK).
About the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association
Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (“HKASA”) was founded in early 1950 by the President, Mr. A. de O. Sales, and it took part for the first time in the Olympic Games in Helsinki 1952 with four swimmers. It was subsequently registered under the Societies Ordinance on 28th April 1960. It is a member of the Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA), Asian Swimming Federation (AASF) and Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF & OC).
It is the sole governing body of swimming sports in Hong Kong covering all swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming, open water swimming and masters competitions and activities here. In the past 60 years, the Association has been promoting and developing swimming sports, thus raising the standard of swimming, nurturing elite swimmers and providing training to athletes, officials, judges and coaches in Hong Kong through organising different competitions, training courses and relevant teaching activities.
The Association now has over 120 affiliated clubs with over 8,000 registered athletes, offering all properly accredited persons the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in a wide range of competitions and meetings here and abroad.