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New World Harbour Racei

The New World Harbour Race is an annual swimming race across Hong Kong harbour, normally held in October. First held in 1906, the Cross Harbour Race was one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated events for over 70 years. It was revived in 2011.

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  • Professional and leisure swimmers descend on Wan Chai pier to compete in 1km race
  • “Five years ago, the water had a petrol-like smell and there was some rubbish in it. I only encountered some seaweed during my swim this year,” one swimmer says

Crowds gather in Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui to watch Sunday’s event, with Kaiki Furuhata winning the men’s race and Hanano Kato first in the women’s.

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Kwok Chun-hei’s victory ensures double family celebration at grandfather’s birthday lunch, while Athena Wong leaves it late before winning women’s race.

Entries slashed by more than 60 per cent to 1,500 from 4,000 because of Covid-19 pandemic while swimmers must be fully vaccinated and test negative for the virus.

A record 4,000 entrants, who will receive a full refund and given priority for the 2020 race, were to tackle a new route from Wan Chai public pier to Tsim Sha Tsui East on October 27.