On January 20th, which is the Great Cold day in the 24th solar terms, the period from Lijiahe located at the Changjiang Zhixi Bridge to Zhenjiang tower in the north bank of the Yangtze River, which is 1800 meters long, has been bustling. Over 500 winter-swimming amateurs from places like Chongqing, Hunan Province, Guizhou province and Jingzhou, Jingmen, Suizhou, Xian Tao in Hubei province started their races speedily crossing over the river and ferry activities .

　　This activity was divided into two parts: individual speedily crossing race and the ferry activities. Over 500 competitors in 36 groups participated in this activity. At 3:30 p.m., it ended up when the last winter swimmer went abroad successfully.

　　To ensure the safety of this activity, marine department took measures to close the navigation for a short time. The holding party also provided with professional medical service and rescue boats.

　　It is introduced that Yichang has held the annual winter swimming activity in a row of 31years. Winter swimming has established a broad mass base. Up till now, the number of registered members joining the winter swimming associations has reached 3000 in urban areas. Winter swimming has become an important part of daily exercise for many citizens. The yearly winter swimming activity has gradually become a markedcompetition for citizens in Yichang, which appeals many swimmers to come to Yichang to take the competition.

　　Meanwhile, according to the introductions made by competitors, this competition attracts many swimming amateurs from other places amid its special location in which the water of the Yangtze River flows smoothly.

　　The Third Winter Swimming Race in Yichang and the Thirty-first Crossing Over the Yangtze River in winter were headed by government and cosponsored by Yichang Winter Swimming Association. The game is aimed to guide the swimmers to carry out the winter swimming scientifically, safely and legally, thus the safety of the citizens and of the navigation in the river can be assured.(Reporter: Bian Jianxin; Correspondent: Zhou Yong, Gao Ge)