运动休闲—滑翔伞运动的历史 Paragliding

 　　从古至今，人类在不停地探索能够象鸟儿一样自由自在飞翔的方法，随着科技的进步和现代航空技术的发展,人类发明了各种飞行工具，滑翔伞就是其中一种。因为新奇、刺激而且又没有太大的体力限制 ,在短短数年之间迅速风靡了世界各地。今天,在世界各地，滑翔伞运动已拥有数十万的爱好者。从它的英文词意Para-Glider上不难发现,飞行伞是降落伞与滑翔翼的结合,也就是, 用高空方块伞改良成性能上接近滑翔翼的综合体。

　　Have you ever wished that you could fly as free as a bird in the sky? Well, many different flying apparatuses¹ have been invented to this end. The paraglider is just one of them, and this comes closest to feeling the freedom of flying.

　　Paragliding is an activity that combines adventure, challenge and self-fulfillment. It first appeared on June 27th 1978 in the French Alps. Three friends climbed to the hilltop. An idea suddenly hit them. They wondered whether it was possible to use parachutes to jump from great heights in the mountains. On one of those pleasant and magical early summer Sundays, they demonstrated² to the world that they were right by landing³ on the ground about 1000 meters in the valley below. Their wildest dreams came true. However, they didn’t realize that they had created a new sport. On June 6th in 1982, a man launched⁴ himself from a peak that was over 4,000 meters high. His performance led to the worldwide popularity⁵ of paragliding.

1 apparatuses   

n.器械； 装置； 设备； 仪器

参考例句：

• That magazine covers all kinds of heating apparatuses. 那本杂志论及所有暖气装置。 来自辞典例句
• Apparatuses and methods for preparing sol-gel solutions are provided. 提供制备溶胶-凝胶溶液的装置和方法。 来自互联网

2 demonstrated   

举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证

参考例句：

• All of those demonstrated the correctness of his analysis. 这一切都证明了他分析的正确性。
• The fireman demonstrated great courage in saving the child. 那位消防队员在抢救孩子的过程中，表现了极大的勇气。

3 landing   

n.登陆；着陆；楼梯平台

参考例句：

• Owing to engine trouble,the plane had to make a forced landing.由于发动机出了毛病，飞机不得不进行迫降。
• When are we landing?我们什么时候着陆？

4 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

5 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。