Diana Nyad Forced to Abandon 103-Mile Swim from Cuba to Florida

[Hissyspit]

Source: CNN

Diana Nyad forced to abandon 103-mile swim from Cuba to Florida

By the CNN Wire Staff
August 9, 2011 1:43 a.m. EDT

(CNN) -- Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who attempted to become the first person to swim between Cuba and Florida without a shark cage, was forced to abandon her effort early Tuesday morning -- roughly halfway through her journey.

- snip -

"I am not sad. It was absolutely the right call," she said.

Nyad, who is 61, struggled through ocean swells, shoulder pain and asthma Monday before she was forced to give up the 103-mile swim.

The attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida was the second for the swimmer, who said at a news conference Sunday that she is fitter today than she was in 1978, when she first attempted the crossing but was unable to finish.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/09/nyad.103.mile.swim/index.html?on.cnn=1

[some guy]

1. bummer.

still :toast: for the effort.

[truthisfreedom]

2. 50 miles, wow!

Totally crazy. Good for her!

[dipsydoodle]

3. That's a shame

I was really rooting for her. 50 miles is good all the same.

Great lady. :thumbsup:

[trud]

4. I read an early report

that said they were going to kill sharks to let her through, so I'm glad they apparently didn't hurt any.

[formercia]

8. There used to be some big Sharks in the Florida Straits

I've spent many, many days at Sea between Key West and Cuba, and seen some Huge ones, but, then, that was before the Chinese Market for Shark Fins.

[pasto76]

5. a huge swimming practice used to be 13,000 yards, which was only just over 7 miles.

it would take about 5 hours to mash in that many yards. Anyone able to swim in open ocean for almost 50 miles is an extraordinary athlete!

[tawadi]

6. Glad she made the right call, as she said

Swam 6 miles before. Can't even imagine swimming 50. Wow.

[RT Atlanta]

7. Her swim is still impressive as hell

Kudos to Diana for her effort - hopefully she can come back one day and take care of the unfinished business.