New World Harbour Race 2014 International and Local Swimmers Compete at Victoria Harbour Once Again
- Registration starts on 10 June 2014
- The event has been awarded the “M” Mark status for the third consecutive year
- Races will be held at Victoria Harbour on 12 October 2014
- Tow float to enhance safety of Leisure Group swimmers
New World Development Company Limited (“New World Group”) and the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (“HKASA”) are proud to announce that the annual iconic sporting event New World Harbour Race 2014 will be held on 12 October 2014 (Sunday) at the Victoria Harbour. For the third year in a row, the race is awarded the “M” Mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee, recognising its significance as a mega event in Hong Kong.
Every year, the organiser implements diverse measures to ensure that the race is well-equipped and meticulously prepared. Last year, a pontoon was set for swimmers to land at the finishing point with greater ease, and this year, the same will be adopted with an improved design. To enhance the safety of the race, a safety tow float will be provided to each swimmer in the leisure group. The Tow Float, which is used in other international open water races, will help increase visibility of swimmers to supervising lifeguards while allowing swimmers to enjoy swimming across the harbour safely and confidently.
Title-sponsored by New World Group and organised by HKASA for the fourth consecutive year, the race features the racing group and leisure group, which have respective quotas of 550 and 1,450 participants. The racing group comprises six categories: the youth category (aged 12 to 16), the open A category (aged 17 to 34), the open B category (aged 35 to 49), the open C category (aged 50 or above), the international category (aged 14 or above) and the New World Harbour Race Challenge. The leisure group, which does not provide any rankings, welcome all eligible swimmers aged 12 or above to join.
Mr Ronnie Wong, President of HKASA, said, “Last year’s New World Harbour Race not only gained great support from the general public, the event also received compliments and praise from over 70 global elite swimmers who participated in the international category. We will continue to improve the race’s facilities and equipment, especially to ensure safety of all swimmers. We aspire to offer more participants the opportunity to challenge themselves while enjoying the unique experience of swimming across Victoria Harbour.”
Mr Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Group, remarked, “Since its re-launch, New World Harbour Race has proudly received positive feedback from various parties in community. The event has successfully promoted the energetic spirit of Hong Kong people and the positive image of swimming to audience worldwide. More importantly, the race has become a highlight in the calendar of international sporting events, heightening the status of Hong Kong as an international metropolitan. Under the ‘New World Springboard’ sustainable community development programme, New World Group is also collaborating with the HKASA to provide no fewer than five years of free swimming training for children from low-income families under ‘New World Swimming Academy’. This year, five eligible young swimmers from the Academy will take on the challenge of competing against other experienced swimmers.”
New World Harbour Race 2014 will commence at 8:30am on 12 October 2014 (Sunday). The race course stretches approximately 1.5km, from the Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun in Kowloon to the Quarry Bay Park Public Pier on Hong Kong Island. All swimmers must be certified according to the HKASA’s entry requirements for the Race. A water trial will be compulsory for those applicants without HKASA-accredited race records. Quota of the racing group will be defined by the swimmers’ time trial results. For the leisure group, the quota will be decided by a draw from the eligible applicants. Details of the draw will be shown on the official website.
As the title sponsor, New World Group will offer awards to the top three winners of each race category. To encourage participation of talented young swimmers, K11, a subsidiary of New World Group, has sponsored the K11 Harbour Race Young Swimmers Cup for the 12 to 16 age group.
Honourable guests who attended New World Harbour Race 2014 Press Conference today include Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Member of the Legislative Council; Mr Jonathan McKinley, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Bureau; Mr Ronnie Wong, President of the HKASA; Mr Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited and Ms Leonie Ki, Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited.
Registration will start today, 10 June 2014. For more information on the Race, please visit www.hkharbourrace.com.
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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 31 December 2013, the total asset value of the Group amounted to HK$354.7billion.
As at 31 December 2013, 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.