Maroney, Susan Jean (1974–)

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Maroney, Susan Jean (1974–)

Australian longdistance swimmer. Name variations: Susie Maroney. Born 1974 in Sydney, Australia; sister of twin brother Sean Maroney (died 2002).

Won US championship in endurance swimming (25 kilometers, 1989); swam English Channel in record time (1990); became 1st Australian to double cross the English Channel, setting a new record of 17 hours, 14 minutes (1991); became the 1st woman to swim the 107 miles from Cuba to Florida, in 24 hours and 31 min. (1997); swam the 128 miles from Jamaica to Cuba (1999); swam from Mexico to Cuba (1999); set 6 world records over an 18-year career; retired (2003). Inducted into International Swimming Hall of Fame.

See also Women in World History.