• The very first international triathlon held in urban Hong Kong
• Tony Dodds and Yuliya Yelistratova garnered championships in the Elite category
• Over300 athletes aged from 8 to 50 fought for glory

Organised by AQUAWIZ and title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group"), New World International Triathlon 2013, the very first international triathlon held in urban Hong Kong, was staged today. With the world renowned Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, over 300 athletes from around the world, including four Olympians, and local elite athletes competed in the fiercely contested triathlon with the Avenue of Stars as the finishing point. Tony Dodds (New Zealand) garnered the championship in the Men's Elite category and Yuliya Yelistratova (Ukraine) netted the championship in the Women's Elite Category.

New World International Triathlon's participants first took part in the 1,200 m swimming segment near the International Mail Centre at the Victoria Harbour followed by a 30 km cycling stint along Princess Margaret Road Link,Hung Hom Bypassand Salisbury Road. The 7.5 km running segment along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade wrapped up the triathlon, with the Avenue of Stars as the finishing point. The much-anticipated Elite category kicked off at 9:30am, with Raymond Young, Permanent 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.

The Men's Elite category was fiercely contested - Tony Dodds (New Zealand) finished in 01:24:49, reigning supreme throughout the entire race ahead of first runner-up, Simon Agoston (Austria), by a staggering 79 seconds. Second runner-up is Yuichi Hosoda (Japan). Yuliya Yelistratova (Ukraine) garnered the championship of the Women's Elite category race scooping a time of 01:38:11, taking the lead in the middle of the race. Kate Rutherford (Hong Kong) and Joyce Cheung Ting Yan (Hong Kong) rank the second and third.

Genevieve Pong, Co-founder of AQUAWIZ, said, "We are thrilled to make history here in Tsim Sha Tsui East with this international triathlon. The first triathlon held in urban Hong Kong, the event marks a milestone in the development of the sport of triathlon in our city since previous triathlons were held in the rural areas. We believe the triathlon has shaped the growth of local elite athletes, who had the chance to compete alongside renowned Olympians, and also Hong Kong's sports scene. We would like to extend our gratitude to the government and other supporting parties involved for helping us close down the roads within Tsim Sha Tsui East, thereby making the triathlon a huge success." 

Gary Chen, Executive Director and Joint General Manager of New World Development Company Limited, said, "New World Group is dedicated to promoting the development of the local sports scene and healthy living. As the title sponsor of New World International Triathlon, we are proud to bring you this exciting race at tourist hot spot Avenue of Stars here in the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui East. The success of this international triathlon helps us promote this challenging sport to the public. We sincerely hope that New World Group will continue to make history for the local sports scene, thereby doing our utmost to support its sustainable growth."

Tony Dodds, winner of the Men's Elite category, is impressed by the immaculate planning of the competition. He said, "The triathlon showcased professionalism in its various arrangements. Winning the championship of the triathlon in a metropolitan like Hong Kong means a lot to me. I would like to express my gratitude towards the event organiser for inviting me to participate in the race and I would be honoured to defend the championship title in the beautiful city of Hong Kong next year."

Full results of New World International Triathlon 2013 will be available at the New World International Triathlon website www.newworldtriathlon.hk

Award Winners

New World International Triathlon Men's Elite Category

New World International Triathlon Women's Elite Category

New World Development Company Limited

New World Development Company Limited ("The Group"; Stock Code: 17.HK) is a leading conglomerate based in Hong Kong. The Group was founded in 1970 and publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972. It is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index with a total asset value of HK$332.2 billion as at 30 June 2013.

For more than four decades, the Group has expanded from a single focus on the property business to four core areas: property, infrastructure & service, department store and hotel. As at 30 June 2013, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 61.1% in NWS Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 659.HK), approximately 69.8% 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).

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