Nearly 3,000 swimmers took part in the annual Harbour Race on Sunday, swimming from Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai to the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The event had 4,000 spots this year, the most since the harbour swim made a return in 2011. However, some 700 people were unable to take part because a typhoon caused the cancellation of their mandatory trials before the main event.

Hong Kong Olympian Rosanna Sze – who usually competes in the pool – took part in the race, but ended up getting lost in Victoria Harbour and momentarily swam in the wrong direction. She said she was aiming for a top-five finish.

"Because perhaps I wasn't too familiar with swimming in the sea. With so many people swimming in the waves.... I just got it all wrong, I missed the big group," she told reporters.

Another swimmer, Gaga, 12, said she found the race challenging.

"It looks closer than it is, but it was a challenge to swim the whole way. I’m happy because it’s my first time to race in the open sea. I’ll join again next year," she said.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan, who officiated the race’s opening, said the event demonstrates Hong Kong's charm as Asia's events capital with elite swimmers from different countries and regions taking part.

Twenty-six people dropped out of the race after saying they felt unwell, one of which was sent to hospital for treatment. He is said to be in stable condition.