Young competitors claimed the top prizes on Sunday in Hong Kong's cross-harbour swim, which returned after a 33-year break. The teenagers stood out from nearly 1,000 people who participated in the race in Victoria Harbour.
John Ling Tin-yu, 18, won the men's open category in 20minutes and 34 seconds. David Wong, 22, was second, 14 seconds behind.
Natasha Tang Wing-yung, 19, a student at Diocesan Girls' School, won the women's open race in 23min 7 sec.
Weeks before the competition, a cloud seemed to hang over the New World Harbour Race. Some were concerned pollution levels in the sea, and weather forecasters also warned of a typhoon that day. Yet despite the worries, the 1.8-kilometre race - from Lei Yue Mun to Quarry Bay Park - went smoothly.
John, who is studying in Britain, and is a member of an open-water swimming squad, says he chose the right strategy to beat David, who recently won the 200m freestyle at the Fina Swimming World Cup in Dubai. 'David is very fit, so I pushed myself in the beginning to build up a lead. It worked well, and the strategy helped me win,' John says.
'I liked the atmosphere during the race; it is rare to have so many people cheering for swimmers in an open-water race. I will come again for sure, if the organiser holds the race again next year.'
After the race, John left immediately to catch a flight from Shenzhen to Nanchang . He is competing there for Hong Kong at the National Intercity Games.
