New World International Triathlon 2015: Third Time a Charm Featuring 400 International and Local Athletes With New World Springboard Participants Making Triathlon Debut
- Hong Kong’s only international urban triathlon was successfully held for the third year
- On a larger scale, the event gathered close to 400 athletes aged from eight to 50-plus
- Mario MOLA (Spain) and Yuliya YELISTRATOVA (Ukraine) came first in the Elite Men’s and Women’s categories
- At only 9 and 10, Sean Tsz-Hin YIP and Sam Wai LEE won championships in the Super Star Triathlon
- New World Springboard participants teamed up with top racers to make triathlon debut
Organised by AQUAWIZ and title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited (“New World Group”), New World International Triathlon 2015, Hong Kong’s only international urban triathlon, set for a comeback and was successfully held today. Set against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui East, the event gathered close to 400 athletes, including 28 elites from the U23 Championship, Olympics and Asian Games to race for the champions. Mario MOLA (Spain) and Yuliya YELISTRATOVA (Ukraine) were the first to cross the finish line at the Tsimshatsui Promenade and won championships in the Men’s and Women’s Elite categories respectively.
The much-anticipated Elite category kicked off at 9:30am with a autumn breeze, with Jonathan McKinley, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Chung Kong-Mo, Chairman of Yau Tsim Mong District Council, Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited and Genevieve Pong, Co-founder of AQUAWIZ officiating at the gunfire ceremony. This year sees shorter course in the Elite and Turbo Categories which makes the Race more exciting for both athletes and spectators. The Elite and Turbo Triathlon participants began with a 750-m swim at the Victoria Harbour, followed by a 20-km cycling sprint along Princess Margaret Road Link, Hung Hom Bypass and Salisbury Road. The 5-km running segment along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade wrapped up the triathlon, towards the end of the Promenade as the finishing point.
In the Elite Men’s category, Mario MOLA (Spain) finished first in 54:28, while Yuliya YELISTRATOVA (Ukraine) captured the championship of the Elite Women’s category in 01:06:10. The Super Star Triathlon saw Sean Tsz-Hin YIP (aged 9) and Sam Wai LEE (aged 10) finished a 300-m swim, 8.9-km cycling race and a 2.4-km run in 36:35 and 37:33 respectively to take the Boys' and Girls' top titles.
A newly introduced relay teams featuring Hong Kong top triathlete Daniel Lee and Zeco Wan, teamed-up with New World Springboard participants, triathlon first-timers, in the Relay race. Offering long-term support to under-resourced youths, New World Springboard, a sustainable community programme run by New World Development Company Limited, helps them develop an indomitable spirit in the face of life challenges. Students were excited to make an debut in the event with top athletes. They hoped there would be more opportunities to participate in triathlon.
Genevieve Pong, Co-founder of AQUAWIZ, said, “It is our pleasure to have New World International Triathlon in Tsim Sha Tsui for the third time, with great support and cooperation from the title sponsor New World Development, various Hong Kong Government departments and other parties involved. Like last year, safety is the top priority. All athletes must have passed the selection races or present the required proofs of race experience to be eligible for the race. To further promote the sports, we have drawn a number of world-class athletes to race with our local elites in preparation of their Rio 2016 Olympics.”
Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, said, “We are honoured to support New World International Triathlon for the third year. We are thrilled to give Hong Kong people the opportunity to witness a strong field of overseas and local contestants competing along the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront, while promoting perseverance and determination in the community. This year we encourage New World Springboard students to team up with Hong Kong's top athletes for their triathlon debut. Hope such incredible experience will inspire them to develop a positive attitude.”
Full results of New World International Triathlon 2015 will be available at the New World International Triathlon website www.newworldtriathlon.hk
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 stores and hotels. As at 30 June 2015, the total asset value of the Group amounted to HK$397.9 billion.
As at 30 June 2015, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61.3% in NWS Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 659.HK), approximately 69.6% 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).