Australian begins Cuba-U.S.swim, braving sharks

Описание

It's been called the Holy Grail of marathon swimming and it starts here, a marina in Havana where swimmers have tried - but failed - to set off unassisted from Cuba to the U.S. On Wednesday, 28-year-old Australian Chloe McCardel took a shot at the grail, by trying to become the first person to make the swim WITHOUT a protective shark cage, which helps cut through the water. REPORTER OFF CAMERA: How are you feeling? MCCARDEL: Very well, thank you. The sea looks calm now, but difficult currents stymied earlier efforts by others. This time, the swimmer has lots of help - an army of 50 to help her navigate, and an underwater electromagnetic field to repel sharks. McCardel is making the swim for cancer research and to improve U.S.-Cuban relations. If all goes well, she'll reach Key West in about 60 hours on Friday night.