Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour burst back to life on Saturday morning as nearly 4,000 swimmers took on the 2025 Victoria Harbour Race, marking a joyful return after last year’s typhoon cancellation. The one-kilometre crossing from Wan Chai’s Golden Bauhinia Square pier to Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars welcomed everyone from 12-year-old newcomers to 68-year-old veterans, including a new companion category for families and friends.

Shin Cham-him and Yip Tsz-yan topped the men’s and women’s races in 17:48.60 and 19:18.83. Olympic star Siobhan Haughey, fresh from double gold at the National Games, finished a happy second on her harbour debut, joking that she relied on Yip’s bright pink cap to navigate the choppy, low-visibility waters.

The field also featured Dutch Olympic medallist Arno Kamminga and a 68-year-old wheelchair user surnamed Wong, completing his tenth crossing. Looking ahead, organisers plan to double participation to 10,000 swimmers next year with two parallel routes.