Cuba to Fla. swim cut short

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel jumps into the water at Hemingway Marina to start her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

McCardel, 29, was bidding to become the first person to make the Straits of Florida crossing without the protection of a shark cage, but the attempt ended after 11 hours in the water when she was stung by a jellyfish Wednesday night.

Read more: Australian abruptly ends Cuba to Fla. swim attempt

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel starts her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

McCardel said she expected to spend about 60 hours in the sea before reaching the Florida Keys, a little more than 100 miles to the northeast, but her swim was cut short after only 11 hours.

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel poses in front of a painting of Ernest Hemingway inside a hotel at the Marina Hemingway after an interview in Havana, Cuba, June 10, 2013.

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel prepares to jump into the water at Hemingway Marina to start her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

McCardel adjusts her earplugs as a man applies a protective ointment on her skin as she prepares to jump into the water and start her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

McCardel starts her swim, June 12, 2013.

McCardel waves to spectators as she begins her swim, June 12, 2013.

McCardel prepares to begin her swim to Florida from the waters off Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

McCardel puts on her goggles as she prepares to jump into the water and start her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel waves to waiting journalists as she arrives at Hemingway Marina to begin her swim, June 12, 2013.

Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel reaches for food passed to her by a member of her team as she trains in Havana, Cuba, June 10, 2013.

McCardel flashes a thumbs up at people gathered to watch her begin her swim to Florida from Havana, Cuba, June 12, 2013.