A WORLD record for sheep shearing has been broken in Launceston.

Una Cameron was in North Cornwall today (August 7), hoping to secure a world record for shearing sheep.  

Taking to Trefranck Farm, Una needed to shear more than 458 ewes in just nine hours. The current world record was set on the February 9 this year by Sacha Bond in New Zealand, when she bettered fellow Kiwi shearer Kerri-Jo Te Huia’s record (452) of six years standing, by six ewes.

Over the past three decades Una has worked in a predominately male profession and has more than held her own. Following her shearing season in New Zealand, during the Scottish winter months, Una has been working with Matt Smith before she came home to the Borders for her own shearing run. 

Since the record was announced, Una has had a management team working behind the scenes, fund raising and organising all the detail, so she can focus on her shearing and training. 

Setting off early this morning, Una’s challenge got underway at 5am, as she battled through her first run. Setting brilliant pace she had her second sheep on the board in under a minute. 

Shearing to the tunes of the 80’s, Una pumped out an impressive 113 for the run, 15 more than the current record holder.

Heading into her second run, Una continued to set the pace, managing a huge 105 ewes in 105 minutes.

Surrounded by her global team, many of whom had travelled from overseas to witness and support Una’s record attempt, she managed increase her tally to 319  before lunch! 

As lunch came and went, Una’s skill and strength continued to shine as she battled towards the record breaking number. Then, as the specially-constructed shed heated up, the fateful number finally arrived, an hour ahead of schedule.  

By 4pm, Una had tackled 458 sheep, battling on for another hour, who knows how high she could climb!

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