Diana Nyad, 64, beats the cruel sea at last to swim from Cuba to Florida

Diana Nyad wades ashore after her record-breaking swim without a shark cage
Diana Nyad wades ashore after her record-breaking swim without a shark cage
ANDREW INNERARITY / REUTERS

Braving jellyfish, extreme cold and nausea, a 64-year-old American woman has become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.

“I just wanted to get out of the sun,” Diana Nyad said as she stumbled on to the beach.

Ms Nyad also achieved the longest unprotected open-water ocean swim, travelling about 112 miles, according to her navigator, John Bartlett.

Dozens of supporters waded into the water off Key West to cheer her on during her final strokes. “I have three messages,” she told them.

“One is, we should never, ever give up. Two is, you’re never too old to chase your dream. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team”.

“I have to say, I’m