Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad swims in the Florida Straits between Cuba and the Florida Keys, Aug. 19, 2012.
Nyad 'Swimming Strong' in Cuba-US Crossing
Veteran long distance swimmer Diana Nyad has pushed ahead after a night of rough waters, in her attempt to become the first person to swim the 166 kilometers between Cuba and Florida without a shark cage.
A post on her website Monday said she already had traveled nearly a third of the journey. It said Nyad was "swimming strong" at a pace of 50 strokes per minute in "beautiful" weather. Sunday night, Nyad and her crew were caught in a squall that had winds reaching 26 kilometers per hour.
Key West, Florida - Havana, Cuba swim route
Nyad hopes to complete her journey through the treacherous waters on Tuesday, one day before she turns 63. She began the swim from Havana Saturday.
She is using a special device that pulses a mild electrical current to help keep sharks at bay.
A video on Nyad's website Sunday showed her on a break joking with the crew, singing a verse from the Beatles' tune No Reply and asking about the son of a crew member.
She attempted the same swimming feat last year, but was forced to abandon her trip after painful jelly fish stings.
Australian Susan Maroney successfully made the swim in 1997, but she used a shark cage.
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