Nyad Resumes Epic Swim from Cuba to US

Posted September 25th, 2011 at 2:21 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad resumed her swim from Havana, Cuba to the Florida Keys early Sunday after getting medical attention.

Late Saturday, Nyad was treated by doctors aboard a support vessel after being stung a second time by Man o' War jellyfish.

The 62-year-old swimmer began her journey Friday evening from Havana's Hemingway Marina. The 166-kilometer swim is expected to take Nyad 60 hours to complete. If successful, she will set a new record for open-water swimming without a shark cage.

Nyad's website says she is protected from sharks by three divers. An anti-shark device that uses an electrical current to shield her from predators is also being used.

Nyad is accompanied by a small flotilla of watercraft manned by members of her team who pass her food, water and medicine.

Nyad insists her age was not a factor in a failed attempt in August. She said an asthma attack forced her to retreat.

Nyad tried the same feat in 1978 when she was 28 years old, but ended it because of high winds and rough seas.

Australian swimmer Susan Maroney completed the swim in 1997 with the help of a shark cage. Maroney was 22 years old at the time.