Courtesy of Colin Hill, Hong Kong.
3,000 people took part in this year’s New World Cross Harbour Race (新世界維港泳), a 1.8 km open water swim in Victoria Harbour across Hong Kong Bay.
The swim, one of the Top 50 Open Water Swims In Asia. is organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association with the New World Group as the title sponsor. It is one of the Top 50 Open Water Swims In Asia.
Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association Honourable Secretary Ronnie Wong said, “The cross harbor swim is one of the city’s most exciting sporting events which is also perhaps the most representative of the spirit of Hong Kong. In past years, members of the community took great pride in having taken part in the race and challenging themselves to achieve their own personal new records.”
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Two participants were rescued during the race. One 46-year-old man later passed away despite attempts to resuscitate him near the finish line while another 59-year-old woman was hospitalised in intensive care following the annual cross-harbour swim yesterday. The lifeguards, stationed about 30 meters apart on the course made the two saves within 15 minutes of each other. Both swimmers were wearing an orange tow float in the 27°C (80.6°F) water.
“We are very saddened by the news and will do whatever possible to help the family get through this difficult time,” said Wong, event director.
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association