VOA常速英语2007年-Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race Begins in Australia

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
26 December 2007

One of the world's toughest sailing races is under way in eastern Australia as more than 80 yachts compete in the annual dash from Sydney to Hobart. The 1100 kilometer journey to Hobart in Tasmania can be treacherous¹. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

The 62-year-old race attracts multi-million dollar yachts crewed by professionals and smaller vessels³ owned by amateur sailors.

The international contingent⁴ includes Mexico's first entry and yachts from Britain and the United States.

The fastest boats hope to reach the Tasmanian state capital within two days, while the slower entrants could take up to a week.

Hundreds of thousands of people watched the start of the race from shore and aboard hundreds of spectator craft.

The annual blue-water race began under clear skies and light winds on Sydney harbor. The giant super maxis, including the favorite Wild Oats XI dominated the start.

" The 63rd Rolex Sydney-Hobart is full throttle⁵. And it's been a very good start for Wild Oats XI," the announcer says. "Was that boat at the top over the line early? Time will tell. Scandia just dragging a little and City Index Leopard⁶ having a nice start in clear water."

The 30-meter Australian yacht Wild Oats is seeking its third win in as many years. It holds the record speed for the race of one day, 18 hours and 40 minutes.

Weather forecasters say that slack winds mean that mark, set in 2005, is unlikely to be broken this year.

History though has already been made. Eighty-five-year-old Sydney sailor John Walker has become the oldest skipper to take part in the race.

The course runs down the southeast coast of Australia and across the treacherous waters of Bass⁷ Strait to the island state of Tasmania.

It is one of the world's toughest yacht races. Six sailors died in 1998 when a storm hit the fleet, sinking several boats.

One skipper, Andrew Short, says he will never forget the dangerous conditions that year.

"Spent three and a half, four days out there bouncing around. We had 24 people on board, and there was only 18 of those guys stayed down below for the whole race, they were just sick as a dog," he said.

The tragedy prompted organizers to impose stringent⁸ new safety standards but minor⁹ injuries are still common and some yachts are forced to abandon the race every year.

Bad weather also hit last year's race. Eight sailors had to abandon a sinking vessel² and three others were airlifted to a hospital after being injured.

1 treacherous   

adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的

参考例句：

• The surface water made the road treacherous for drivers.路面的积水对驾车者构成危险。
• The frozen snow was treacherous to walk on.在冻雪上行走有潜在危险。

2 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

3 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

5 throttle   

n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压

参考例句：

• These government restrictions are going to throttle our trade.这些政府的限制将要扼杀我们的贸易。
• High tariffs throttle trade between countries.高的关税抑制了国与国之间的贸易。

6 leopard   

n.豹

参考例句：

• I saw a man in a leopard skin yesterday.我昨天看见一个穿着豹皮的男人。
• The leopard's skin is marked with black spots.豹皮上有黑色斑点。

7 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

8 stringent   

adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的

参考例句：

• Financiers are calling for a relaxation of these stringent measures.金融家呼吁对这些严厉的措施予以放宽。
• Some of the conditions in the contract are too stringent.合同中有几项条件太苛刻。

9 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。