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Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad has become the first person to swim from Cuba to the US without a shark cage.

After about 53 hours' non-stop swimming, the 64-year-old American reached Key West, Florida, escorted by boats and her team of 35 people.

Ms Nyad, who left a Havana yacht club early on Saturday, had vowed this would be her final attempt to cross the 103-mile (166-km) wide Florida Straits.

Her four other tries - one in 1978, two in 2011 and one in 2012 - failed.

Ms Nyad walked out of the water on to the beach at just before 14:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Monday.

A couple of hundred well-wishers were waiting to greet her on the beach, cheering and blowing horns

Ms Nyad wore a special silicone mask to protect her face from the jellyfish stings which plagued her last attempt, as well as a full bodysuit, gloves and booties.

She acknowledged beforehand that the kit would slow her down, but believed it would ultimately prove effective.

Ms Nyad's support team had equipment that generated a faint electrical field around her, which was designed to keep sharks at bay.

US President Barack Obama congratulated her, tweeting: "Never give up on your dreams."

As she prepared for the home stretch, Ms Nyad treaded water briefly to address her support team, according to a blog post on her website.

"I am about to swim my last two miles in the ocean," she said. "This is a lifelong dream of mine and I'm very very glad to be with you."

She added: "So let's get going so we can have a whopping party."

Medics had concerns about her slurred speech and breathing but they did not intervene, according to her website.

Ms Nyad's team guided her through the best route into Key West to avoid dangerous eddies, currents, shipping lanes, reefs and swarms of jellyfish.

The rules of the swim meant she was not allowed to hold on to the support boat at any time. Her team helped to keep her on course and gave her food and water.

During her last attempt in August 2012, Ms Nyad had to be pulled out of the water after 41 hours when a squall and repeated jellyfish stings made it impossible for her to continue.

She first tried to complete the crossing in 1978 with a shark cage.

A second attempt - without a cage - in 2011 had to be called off because of shoulder pain and an asthma attack.

Later the same year, jellyfish stings ended Ms Nyad's third bid at the crossing. Her fourth attempt ended in August 2012.

Australian Susie Maroney, who was 22, successfully swam the Strait in 1997 with a shark cage, which besides the protection it affords from predators is said to make the swim itself easier as it creates a drafting effect.

In June, Australian endurance swimmer Chloe McCardel tried to make the crossing without a shark cage but had to give up after also being stung by jellyfish.

An amazing feat for any one, and especially an older person

Indeed it is.  I'm sure she could have done without the jellyfish kiss!
:o

Indeed it is.  I'm sure she could have done without the jellyfish kiss!
:o


You got that right, been "kissed" by a jellyfish and it aint fun