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Australian Chloe McCardel in Cuba to US swim attempt Australian Chloe McCardel in Cuba to US swim attempt
(about 7 hours later)
Australian endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel, 29, has set off on her attempt to become the first person to swim from Havana to Florida without a cage to protect her from shark attacks. Australian endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel, 29, is continuing her attempt to become the first person to swim from Havana to Florida without a cage to protect her from shark attacks.
She called the 103-mile-swim (166km) "the hardest in the world today", with sharks just one of the dangers, along with exposure and jellyfish. She called the 166km (103-mile) swim "the hardest in the world today", with sharks just one of the dangers, along with exposure and jellyfish.
Ms McCardel said she expected to complete the swim in about 60 hours.Ms McCardel said she expected to complete the swim in about 60 hours.
She said she hoped her challenge would encourage US-Cuban friendship.She said she hoped her challenge would encourage US-Cuban friendship.
Ms McCardel has a support team of coaches and doctors who will be monitoring her from onboard boats during her swim. 'Analysing mistakes'
She jumped into the water from Havana's Marina Hemingway at 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT).
She covered about 19km by late afternoon, her support team reported later.
Ms McCardel is being monitored by coaches and doctors from onboard boats.
She will pause regularly to have energy drinks, but is not planning to get onto any of the boats during these brief breaks.She will pause regularly to have energy drinks, but is not planning to get onto any of the boats during these brief breaks.
Ms McCardel's attempt comes almost a year after 62-year-old American swimmer Diana Nyad had to abandon her fourth attempt at the same feat.Ms McCardel's attempt comes almost a year after 62-year-old American swimmer Diana Nyad had to abandon her fourth attempt at the same feat.
Ms Nyad was pulled from the water after she was stung repeatedly in the face by jellyfish and was buffeted by strong waves and currents.Ms Nyad was pulled from the water after she was stung repeatedly in the face by jellyfish and was buffeted by strong waves and currents.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Ms McCardel said she had been training for this particular swim for six months, and had spent a lot of time "analysing the reasons and mistakes" which had prevented other swimmers from completing it.Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Ms McCardel said she had been training for this particular swim for six months, and had spent a lot of time "analysing the reasons and mistakes" which had prevented other swimmers from completing it.