Iconic harbor swim returns to Hong Kong after 33 years

After a hiatus of more than 30 years, Hong Kong's cross-harbor swim recommenced early Sunday with 1,000 swimmers racing across Victoria Harbour.

Swimmers dived into the harbor at Lei Yu Mun's Sam Ka Tsuen pier and raced 1.89 kilometers to Quarry Bay Park pier.

Ling Tin-Yu -- a member of the Hong Kong swim team -- won the race, crossing Victoria Harbour in 20 minutes, 34 seconds.

Now branded the New World Harbour Race 2011, the event began more than 100 years ago, but has not been held since 1978 due to polluted waters and busy harbor traffic.

Last week, data from Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (EPD) revealed E. coli levels in the harbor were twice the maximum acceptable level at Hong Kong bathing beaches.