IG听力2019 part3 音频

[00:01.12] F1: Most of us are quite happy to swim in a pool, clocking up the lengths,

[00:05.99] but not my guest today whose most amazing achievement must have been last year.(21)

[00:11.84] At 59 she became the oldest woman to swim the Channel non-stop from Dover to Calais and back in 36 hours and 25 minutes.

[00:21.39] Cross Channel swimmer, Sally Minty Gravett, learned to swim in the sea around Jersey, where she lives.

[00:28.30] In this interview she describes her unique relationship with the waters surrounding this beautiful island.

[00:35.84] Sally, you are fortunate to live on an island where you are never more than 10 minutes from the sea.

[00:41.85] As a cross Channel swimmer, how does that make you feel?

[00:47.69] F2: I feel I have a very close relationship with the sea, whether I am swimming in it or walking nearby with the ocean breeze in my face.(22)

[00:56.39] There isn’t a day that passes when I don’t look at it and feel lucky to live somewhere so special.

[01:04.81] If I do not swim in the sea at least every other day, I am missing something very important.

[01:11.72] F1: I gather you started swimming when you were very young.

[01:15.51] Did you learn to swim on the Island?

[01:18.71] F2: I moved to Jersey with my parents when I was three.

[01:21.81] Back then there were no public swimming pools, so the sea was the pool where I learned to swim.

[01:28.99] F1: That is a rather challenging start for a three-year-old.

[01:32.44] How has that influenced the way you think of the sea?

[01:35.62] Weren’t you ever afraid?

[01:38.01] F2: I think that’s when my love affair with the sea began.

[01:42.01] I try to swim every day in all weather conditions.

[01:45.98] And I’m sure this has a great deal to do with the fact that I have swum the Channel seven times.(23)

[01:52.63] The varying sea conditions around the Island have been the best preparation

[01:57.23] for these challenges that I could have ever hoped for.

[02:01.31] For example, I practised for my last and most recent long distance swim,

[02:06.97] by swimming twice round the Island for each trial session.

[02:11.60] The distance round the Island is 66 miles.

[02:15.13] F1: That is really amazing!

[02:18.32] What concerns me though, is that the Channel Islands are in one of the busiest waterways for shipping in the world.

[02:25.22] Surely swimming near the coast of Jersey carries the risk of pollution?(24)

[02:29.47] F2: The tides here are quite remarkable: they rise among the highest in the world,

[02:35.05] which is why the water and the coastline are so free of debris –

[02:39.30] each day incredible waves wash everything clean.

[02:43.81] Being in the water somehow washes away any troubles or heaviness I might be carrying with me.

[02:50.19] Within moments of diving into the water I feel great.

[02:54.17] That’s why I call it my ‘vitamin sea’.

[02:58.43] I’m certain that sea swimming is a form of physical and mental therapy, which is far more effective than swimming in a pool. (25)

[03:06.13] F1: From looking at pictures of Jersey, I think that my favourite season for swimming would be the height of summer.

[03:13.83] I can safely presume that this would be your favourite time as well?

[03:18.61] Or am I wrong? Don’t tell me you actually enjoy swimming in the winter! (26)

[03:23.13] F2: Well, in summer the sun sparkles on the water surface in a magical way and it’s absolutely mesmerising.

[03:31.09] In winter I love to swim under a full moon.

[03:34.81] Believe me there is nothing quite as exhilarating as getting out of the sea on a cold evening with every inch of me tingling.

[03:42.78] It’s winter swimming for me!

[03:45.07] F1: I know from past experience, when I have come to Jersey with my family for a holiday,

[03:51.37] that there are so many wonderful places to swim and they all seem to have a personality of their own,(27)

[03:57.20] so it’s quite hard to choose your favourite beach.

[04:00.54] F2: You are quite right. In the southern parts of the island you will find shallow waters and golden sands;

[04:08.25] along the north and eastern sides are some beautiful pebble beaches,

[04:12.76] while the Atlantic waves off the west coast are a sight to behold.

[04:17.54] F1: Many of the beaches in Jersey are voted year in and year out as the United Kingdom’s favourite beaches

[04:26.30] and have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag for cleanliness and outstanding beauty.(28)

[04:32.15] Jersey is a popular holiday destination not only among the British.

[04:36.39] It’s clear that visitors, and local people alike, love the sea that surrounds this beautiful island.

[04:42.52] F2: Definitely! I am very privileged, not only to live on this island,

[04:48.35] but to make my living as a local swimming coach working with future generations of Jersey swimmers.

[04:54.73] I try to encourage others to embrace the water, and to have the confidence to swim out into it.

[05:01.63] It is my way of giving back to the sea what it has given me – a purpose and a challenge.

[05:09.07] F1: I am so impressed with what you have done for the sport.

[05:13.50] You’ve not only been a successful marathon swimmer yourself but have trained many who now follow in your footsteps.(29)

[05:20.94] And recently you have been honoured by the Queen for your services to sport and swimming in particular.

[05:27.32] What did it feel like meeting Her Majesty?

[05:30.51] F2: It was a thrilling moment to meet the Queen, but I think the greatest satisfaction I get is from teaching children

[05:38.74] who do not have the chances in life that I was given and yet who want to succeed.(30)