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US Woman First to Swim Atlantic

56-year-old American churns from Africa to Trinidad in 24 days

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted Feb 8, 2009 6:24 AM CST

(Newser) – A 56-year-old American became the first woman to swim across the Atlantic, completing a 24-day journey from Africa's Cape Verde Islands to Trinidad, reports the BBC. Jennifer Figge of Colorado swam up to 8 hours at a stretch, protected by a cage to fend off sharks. She swam approximately 2,100 miles, though the exact distance has yet to be measured. Figge plans to continue on to the British Virgin Islands, which was her first goal until she was blown off course.

A support boat ran alongside her, with staffers throwing energy drinks to the swimmer. In choppy waters, divers handed them to her directly. She burned 8000 calories each day, and started the mornings with pasta breakfasts. Figge, who first dreamed of swimming the ocean when she was a little girl, saw turtles, dolphins and whales—but no sharks. "I was never scared," she said.

[Images (2)]

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Jennifer Figge, after her arrival to Chacachacare Island, in Trinidad, Thursday. Figge, of Aspen, Colo., is the first woman to swim across the Atlantic Ocean. (AP Photo)

Jennifer Figge left the Cape Verde Islands off Africa on Jan. 12, swimming roughly 2,100 miles to arrive in Trinidad's Chacachacare Island on Thursday. (AP Photo)

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Jennifer Figge has conquered more than 3,000 miles running and crossed almost 25 channels swimming. Her latest endeavor: becoming the first woman on record to swim the Atlantic Ocean. (AssociatedPress)

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US Woman First to Swim Atlantic