Swimmer makes crossing from Cuba to Florida

Swimmer makes crossing from Cuba to Florida

Exhausted but beaming, Susie Maroney, a 22-year-old Australian, last night stepped ashore at Key West, on the southernmost tip of the US, after becoming at least the first woman to swim the Florida Straits from Cuba. She and her back-up team say she is the first person to make the crossing, but some record books say a man called Walter Poenisch did it nearly 20 years ago.

Swimming inside a floating anti-shark cage, towed by a boat, Maroney crossed the treacherous waters, one of the world's great swimming challenges, in 25 hours, far less than the 40 hours she had predicted. Southerly winds picked up her speed.

Havana, where she plunged from the Malecon promenade (right) in front of bemused Cubans more accustomed to seeing their countrymen flee on rafts, is just over 90 miles from Key West. But the Australian probably swam more than 100 miles because of winds and currents.

After swimming the last 200 yards outside her cage, Maroney was helped ashore in front of a small group of applauding tourists. "Welcome to America," said one. "I'm really happy. It's a dream I've always had," she said.

Her next plan? "Just a rest." But she is expected to tackle the 30-mile swim around New York's Manhattan Island.

Relatives and aides in the boat towing her cage said they had used satellite photos and infrared images to select the best route. Even the anti-shark cage was state of the art.

During her last attempt at the Straits last June, Maroney, Australia's long-distance swimming champion, was thrown against the cage, injuring her arms and wrists. She opted to swim outside the cage for 10 hours on that occasion but this time her aides advised her to stay inside after seeing two curious sharks approach.

She gave up last year's attempt 12 miles short of the Florida Keys. Yesterday, she made it, after treading water every five hours to drink high-protein, superhydrating drinks and nibble on baby food, yoghurt and crushed bananas.

Phil Davison, Miami