7msports > Water sports Video > Nyad makes history in shark infested waters

Nyad makes history in shark infested waters

Wednesday, September 04 2013 by SNTV
  • Intro:

    Diana Nyad became first person to complete a Cuba-to-Florida swim without a shark cage on Monday

    Script:

    Diana Nyad became first person to complete a Cuba-to-Florida swim without a shark cage on Monday

    It took the 64-year- about 53 hours to swim from Havana to the American shore.

    Nyad's journey began Saturday morning when she jumped from the seawall of the Hemingway Marina into the warm waters off Havana.

    As she approached her destination, spectators surrounded her in the water, taking pictures and cheering her on.

    It was Nyad's fifth attempt to complete the approximately 110-mile swim. She tried three times in 2011 and 2012. She had also tried in 1978.

    Her previous attempt was cut short because of boat trouble, storms, unfavourable currents and jellyfish stings that left her face puffy and swollen.

    This time she wore a full bodysuit, gloves, booties and a mask at night, when jellyfish rise to the surface.

    Nyad first came to national attention in 1975 when she swam the 28 miles around the island of Manhattan in just under eight hours.

    Australian Susie Maroney successfully swam the Strait in 1997 with a shark cage, which besides protection from the predators, has a drafting effect that can pull a swimmer along.

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