McCardel abandons record swim bid from Cuba to Florida
Australian marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel has abandoned her record-breaking attempt to complete a non-stop swim from Cuba to the United States without a shark cage, after just 11 hours.
McCardel, who is from Melbourne, was forced to pull out after suffering a 'debilitating' jellyfish sting, organisers said in a statement on her Facebook page.
"OK, so the word is that Chloe has suffered a 'debilitating' severe jelly fish sting that made it impossible to continue," the statement said.
"She and the team are now heading towards Key West. Once landed, we'll post further details. Thanks everyone for all your support and best wishes."
The 29-year-old was trying to become the first person to swim 166-kilometres across the Straits of Florida nonstop without a shark cage, flippers or a wetsuit.
She was accompanied by a 32-person support team, which included doctors and weather experts.
Many swimmers have tried but failed at making the same crossing.
The most recent was American Diana Nyad, 63, who abandoned her bid earlier this year, plagued by storms, hypothermia and jellyfish.
Fellow Aussie Susan Maroney is the first and only person to have swum across the straits. She did so in 1997, at age 22, but used a shark cage for the mammoth effort.
McCardel is raising money for cancer charities, after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when the swimmer was 14.
To donate to Chloe's cause visit the fundraising website
