World's highest altitude swimming race kicks off

 　　GUIDE, China, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd International Extreme Race of Winter Swimming across Yellow River started here in northwest China's Qinghai Province on Saturday.

　　Being hosted in Guide County at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest altitude swimming race has attracted 48 swimmers from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United States, and host China.

　　With the temperature registered at 2 degrees Celsius¹ in water running 3 meters per second, nine of the 48 participants tried their first 500 meters in Yellow River at 10 am (Beijing time).

　　"I will not test the waters. It is exhausting. I will keep my physical strength so that I can do well in the afternoon," said Chinese swimmer Zhang Shijie. The race would officially start at 2 pm in the afternoon.

　　Into its third consecutive² year, it has become the fourth international race hosted by Qinghai Province after Tour of Qinghai Lake, Rock Climbing World Cup and Qinghai International Yellow River Crossing Challenge.

1 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

2 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。