(Hong Kong, 17th November, 2021) – Title sponsored by New World Development Company Limited (“New World Development”) and organised by Hong Kong China Swimming Association (“HKGSA”), the annual New World Harbour Race celebrates its 10th anniversary this year since its triumphant return in 2011. On the morning of 12th December, 1,500 swimmers will take the plunge and embark on a new route, starting at Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier and finishing at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Registration of New World Harbour Race 2021 opens from today at 10:30am until the 22nd November.
Be Bold. Take the Plunge. Make Waves of Successes
New World Harbour Race 2021 takes on the slogan “Together We Make Waves” to encourage swimmers to be bold, stare down adversities and make waves of successes. The Race is also sponsored and fully supported by FTLife, the sole insurance sponsor of this year.
A quota of 1,500 swimmers will be available this year, and are divided between Racing and Leisure Groups. Due to public health measures for COVID-19 and a limited quota, application for this year’s Racing Group will be reserved for 2019 Racing Group entrants only. Applicants will then qualify according to their time trial ranking or other recognised results, while there will be a lottery for Leisure Group if the number of applicants exceeds the quota. Lottery results will be announced on 25th November, with successful applicants to the 2019 event given priority this year. Successful entrants of Leisure Group this year must pass the time trial at the end of November or submit proven records to qualify for participation in the Harbour Race.
All successful and qualified applicants for New World Harbour Race 2019 will also enjoy a 50% discount on entry fees this year and will be exempted from the time trial and administration fees. Successful applicants for the Harbour Race 2019, who choose not to enrol in the 2021 race or are unsuccessful in securing a spot this year, will see their priority, discounts and exemptions extended for a year to the Harbour Race 2022.
COVID-19 Preventive Measures: 2 Doses of Vaccine; Virus Test 48 Hours Before the Event
The organisers will be taking three stringent measures in protecting against COVID-19. First, participants must have received two doses of a government-recognised vaccine at least 14 days before the event (on or before 28th November). Secondly, they must obtain a negative result in a government-recognised COVID-19 nucleic acid test arranged by the organisers on Race Kit Collection Day (48 hours prior to the event), and submit an electronic Health Declaration Form confirming that they have not been out of Hong Kong 21 days before the event (on or after 20th November). Lastly, on the event day, swimmers must register with the LeaveHomeSafe mobile phone app before entering the premise.
Further preventive measures include the provision of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and frequent reminders on maintaining social distancing. Participants will also have their temperature taken at the Registration Area, while masks will be distributed at two locations near the Finishing Area.
HKGSA: New Perspective on the Harbour; NWD: Turning Swimming into a Major Sporting Event
President of the HKGSA Mr Ronnie Wong said: “Thanks to the decade-long title sponsorship by New World Development and the support and cooperation from government departments and other organisations, the Harbour Race is back, overcoming the pandemic. With this year’s new route, swimmers will be able to enjoy the beautiful Victoria Harbour view from a new perspective. We look forward to giving everyone an even more enjoyable experience with our new arrangements.”
Executive Director of New World Development, Mr Sitt Nam-Hoi, said: “We are honoured to be able to help revive and keep such an iconic sporting event after what was a suspension of more than three decades. Every year, we endeavour to add new elements to attract more participants, popularise the sport and turn it into a major sporting event. We sincerely look forward to swimmers attaining personal breakthroughs across the Victoria Harbour. ‘Together We Make Waves’!”
The New World Harbour Race 2021 will start at 8:15am on 12th December. Leisure and Racing Groups are open to swimmers of minimum ages of 12 and 14, respectively. Registration runs from today at 10:30am to 11:59pm, 22nd November. Please visit the official website for more details (www.hkharbourrace.com).
Key Information about New World Harbour Race 2021
| Event Date | 12th December, 2021 (Sun) |
| Online Registration | 17th November, 2021 (10:30am) to 22nd November, 2021 (11:59pm) |
| Draw Results Announcement | 25th November, 2021 at 3pm on New World Harbour Race website – swimmers may input their personal information for a quick search |
| Time Trial List | 25th November, 2021 at 3pm on the HKGSA website and New World Harbour Race website |
| Time Trial Date and Venue |
27th November, 2021 (Tung Chung Swimming Pool) 28th November, 2021 (Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Swimming Pool) 29th November, 2021 (Tung Chung Swimming Pool) |
| Time Trial Results & Final Participant List Announcement | 1st December, 2021 at 3pm on the New World Harbour Race website – swimmers may input their personal information for a quick search |
| Collection of Race Kits and COVID-19 Test |
10th December, 2021 (9am to 8pm) 11th December, 2021 (9am to 12pm) *Race Kits to be collected at VESSEL 01, Kwun Tong Promenade. Government-recognised COVID-19 nucleic acid test will be provided on site for free. |
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Captions
The 10th anniversary of the New World Harbour Race is marked by a new route starting from Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier to Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Swimmers will enjoy the harbour view from a new perspective.
Stringent COVID-19 preventive measures include: swimmers must have taken two doses of a government-recognised vaccine, and obtained negative results in a virus test 48 hours before the event.
High-resolution photos are available for download at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fgkFgnUfF6Oe4PDmYkH6xpGBrHqxAjH9?usp=sharing
(This press release is issued by ActionHouse International on behalf of the Hong Kong China Swimming Association and New World Development Company Limited.)
For further information, please contact:
ActionHouse International Limited
Karl Cheung Tel: 3102 8107 / 6799 5338 Email:karlcheung@actionhouseintl.com
Carmen So Tel: 3102 2778 / 6026 0147 Email:cso@actionhouseintl.com
About New World Development
Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited (“The 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 best defined by The Artisanal Movement, New World Group’s core business areas include investment in property and property development, and investment in and/or operation of roads, commercial aircraft leasing, construction, insurance, hotels and other strategic businesses. Its Greater China operations, especially in the Greater Bay Area, had a total asset value of approximately HK$627 billion as at 30 June 2021. The Group’s two listed companies are NWS Holdings Limited (61%), and New World Department Store China Limited (75%). New World China Land Limited is wholly owned by the Group.
About Hong Kong China Swimming Association
Hong Kong China Swimming Association (“HKGSA”) was founded in early 1951 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, artistic swimming, open water swimming and masters competitions and activities here. HKGSA will comply with Olympic Charter, the rules and regulations of the International Olympic Committee, SF & OC, FINA and AASF
In the past 70 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 organizing different competitions, training courses and relevant teaching activities. The Association now has over 120 affiliated clubs with over 10,000 registered athletes, offering all properly accredited persons the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in a wide range of competitions and meetings here and abroad.