|
阅读理解
Rowing a boat is a pleasant and relaxing activity．Being out in the sunshine, enjoying the breeze on a calm lake is a great way to get some light exercise．But Maud Frontenoy's rowing trip was not relaxing and the exercise was not light．
Alone, the 26-year-old French woman, rowed 8 000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean．She arrived on French Polynesia on March 26 to become the first woman to complete the voyage．
Her extreme challenge lasted 73 days and was full of difficulties．“My fingers and my back were in terrible pains because of the rowing．Once my boat was filled with water and I thought I was going to die．”said Frontenoy．
But she saw it as an exercise of will power to prove that a woman has the strength to make such a crossing．
At the end of her legendary trip, Frontenoy was greeted by a colourful ceremony．Even French President Jacques Chirac sent a telegram of congratulations．
But she seemed calm about her great achievement．“It's just a story about a boat and an ordinary woman．”said Frontenoy．
About returning to land after so long at sea, she said：“It is a moment that I have been afraid of, the return to the world of people after more than 70 days alone．But I have also waited for it for so long．”
| 