CRI听力:China's Mainland, Taiwan Swimmers Cross-Strait Relay Challenge

Swimmers from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have started the second leg of a swimming relay across the Taiwan Strait.

The event could set a new record in long distance ocean swimming if it's successful.

This challenging attempt will be affected by many factors, such as weather, their physical condition and preparation.

Zhang jian, a professor from Beijing Sport University, talks about the importance of energy during this relay.

"Energy drinks will be supplied every two hours in the beginning, increased to every hour towards the end. maybe even every half-hour. From scientific research, we know how swimmers can suffer exhaustion because of a lack of energy. This will be no problem if their energy supply is ensured."

The cross-Strait relay will take the swimmers from Hsinchu to Pingtan in east China's Fujian Province.

Taiwan swimmer Su Tzu-chieh began the relay from the start position in waters off the western coast of Hsinchu, northwest Taiwan on Monday.

The straight-line distance of the swim is 140 kilometers, however, the actual route has been estimated to be around 250 kilometers due to the inevitable deviations.

Approximately 70 hours is needed to finish the entire journey.