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Strong Currents End Palfrey's Cuba-Florida Swim

Palfrey was about 26 miles from Florida when she got out of water

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 1, 2012 5:33 AM CDT

(AP) – Endurance swimmer Penny Palfrey has abandoned her effort to become the first woman to swim unassisted from Cuba to the Florida Keys, ending her odyssey after almost 41 hours in the water and about three quarters of the way through the more than 100-mile swim, her support team said early this morning. Previously, her personal best was 67 miles when she swam between Little Cayman and Grand Cayman islands last year.

The British-born Australian marathon swimmer halted her effort around midnight about 26 miles south of Key West because of a strong ocean current working against her, said a team member, adding, "she is fine." There were no further details on Palfrey's condition. Earlier in the day, Palfrey had been swimming steady and strong and reported no physical complaints other than jellyfish stings more than halfway into the swim.

British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey adjusts her goggles before jumping into the water to begin her bid to complete a record swim from Cuba to Florida.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey adjusts her goggles before jumping into the water to begin her bid to complete a record swim from Cuba to Florida.   (Franklin Reyes)
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey and her husband, Chris, rub cream on her body in preparation for her bid to complete her record swim.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey and her husband, Chris, rub cream on her body in preparation for her bid to complete her record swim.   (Ramon Espinosa)
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey smiles before launching her bid to complete a record swim from Cuba to Florida.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey smiles before launching her bid to complete a record swim from Cuba to Florida.   (Ramon Espinosa)
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey begins her dream.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey begins her dream.   (Franklin Reyes)
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey gave up on her bid to swim from Cuba to Florida this morning, about three-quarters of the way across.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey gave up on her bid to swim from Cuba to Florida this morning, about three-quarters of the way across.   (Franklin Reyes)
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey says goodbye before beginning her bid to make the record books.
British-Australian swimmer Penny Palfrey says goodbye before beginning her bid to make the record books.   (Ramon Espinosa)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
George-Jetson
Jul 1, 2012 2:14 PM CDT
Put a Cuban in the water & see what happens.
Cheshire
Jul 1, 2012 1:32 PM CDT
She probably found out that the US Department of Immigration was waiting for her in the Keys.
HANKHILL
Jul 1, 2012 10:45 AM CDT
to bad

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