New World Harbour Race 2016 Enhancing the Event for A Better Cross-harbour Experience by Raising the Entry Quota to 3,000
- Races will be held at Victoria Harbour on 16 October 2016
- Online registration starts on 8 June 2015
- Enrollment quota will be raised to 3,000 entrants
- New pontoon will be placed at the starting area
- Introduction of a new electronic ankle transponder
New World Development Company Limited (“New World Group”) and the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (“HKASA”) are delighted to announce that the annual iconic sporting event – New World Harbour Race 2016 will be held on 16 October 2016 (Sunday) at Victoria Harbour. Given the event’s overwhelming positive reception in past years by the public, the enrollment quota for participants this year will be raised to 3,000, including 500 in the Leisure Group, to encourage more swimmers to take part in this unique event. Following the success of the pilot Charity Category last year, the organiser will increase the quota of the Category to 12 teams, inviting more charities to participate in this meaningful event.
An event that belongs to the Hong Kong people, the New World Harbour Race has been recognised as an "M" Mark event by the Major Sports Events Committee for the 5th consecutive year since 2012. The organiser has been committed to enhancing race arrangements and complementary measures to increase the competition level and to provide swimmers with a more enjoyable experience. For example, this year, a new pontoon will be placed at the starting area to shorten the distance between the pier and starting point, as well as reduce waiting times in order to let swimmers compete at their best. Electronic ankle transponders have also been introduced, which swimmers must wear during the race. This will automatically record when competitors pass across the finish line sensor and complete the race, helping the organizers monitor swimmers’ participation and safety.
Honourable guests at the New World Harbour Race 2016 press conference today included: Legislative Councillor, Ma Fung-kwok, Yeung Tak-keung, Commissioner for Sports, President of the HKASA, Ronnie Wong, Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, and Leonie Ki, Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited.
Ronnie Wong, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, said, “From 1,000 swimmers in 2011 rising to 3,000 participants this year, the New World Harbour Race has evolved into a major annual international open water swimming event here in Hong Kong. The organisers are indeed honoured that the race has again been recognised by the Major Sports Events Committee as an "M" Mark event. Thanks to the staunch support of the New World Group and other supporting organisations, this race has continued to develop throughout the years. The HKASA has been actively dedicated to improving the overall race arrangements during the past five years. This year, a new pontoon will be added at the starting area to facilitate participants, providing them with an enhanced race experience and greater enjoyment while swimming across Victoria Harbour.”
Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, said, “New World Group is delighted to title-sponsor the race once again and present this unique and legendary Hong Kong sporting event together with the HKASA. We believe that the persistence and determination of the participating athletes, who have a strong desire to break through conventional limits, accurately reflects the spirit of The Artisanal Movement, the unique brand personality of our Group. With the Rio Olympics coming up soon, New World Group encourages the public to take up swimming and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is the aim of the New World Harbour Race. The Charity Category introduced last year will also be expanded. In doing so, New World Group and HKASA hope more people from different walks of life will contribute to charity, spreading the Group’s caring spirit to every corner of the community.”
New World Harbour Race 2016 will begin at 8:30am on Sunday, 16 October 2016, with an approximately 1,500m race course stretching from Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon to Quarry Bay Park Public Pier on Hong Kong Island. The race comprises two groups, Racing and Leisure, which have respective quotas of 600 and 2,400 participants. The seven categories in the Racing Group are: the Youth category (aged from 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), the New World Harbour Race Invitation Cup and the School category. The Leisure Group which does not comprise any rankings is open to all eligible swimmers aged 12 or above. A safety tow float will be provided for each swimmer in the Leisure Group.
To ensure optimum safety, all swimmers must be certified according to the HKASA’s entry requirements for the Race. A time trial will be compulsory for applicants without HKASA-accredited race records. The quota of the Racing Group will be determined by the swimmers’ time trial results. For the Leisure Group, the quota will be decided by a draw among eligible applicants. Details of the draw will be announced on New World Harbour Race official website.
The top three swimmers in each race category will receive awards offered by the title sponsor, New World Group. K11, a subsidiary of the New World Group, will continue to sponsor the K11 Harbour Race Young Swimmers Cup for the 12 to 16 age group to encourage the participation of young swimmers.
Online registration for New World Harbour Race 2016 will open from tomorrow, 8 June until Wednesday, 10 August. Three water trial sessions will be held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Tung Chung and Shing Mun Valley on 3, 4 and 10 September, respectively. For more information, please visit www.hkharbourrace.com.
About New World Development Company Limited
Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited (“New World Group”, Hong Kong stock code: 00017) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A premium brand infused with a unique personality, New World Group’s core business areas include property development, infrastructure and service, department stores and hotels. As at 31 December 2015, the total asset value of the Group amounted to HK$409.7 billion.
As at 31 December 2015, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61% in NWS Holdings Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 00659), approximately 70% in New World China Land Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 00917) and approximately 72% in New World Department Store China Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 00825).
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.