A TYNE Valley woman is celebrating in Antigua after setting a new world record for rowing across the Atlantic.

Wylam’s Claire Hughes was part of Tyne Team Innovation, the North-East-based team which set a new record for a mixed fours team in the gruelling Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, with a time of 42 days, 10 hours and 26 minutes.

Known as the world’s toughest row, the race consists of a gruelling 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Project manager Claire, who is currently still in Antigua, was joined by the former CEO of Newcastle-based company Reece Group, Phil Kite, along with retired fire fighter Alan Huntly and former detective inspector Steve Sidaway.

According to Team Tyne Innovation’s website, Claire started rowing in 2012 and has raced regionally and nationally. She is also a keen sea kayaker and loves a challenge, setting herself a new one each year.

After riding a rickshaw 3,500km across India, the Atlantic challenge represented the next level, with Claire keen to see how far she could push herself.

The team’s name came from their mission to enable North-East organisations to showcase their products and services around the world, with sponsors and supporters from across the region coming together to make the team’s boat light, high tech, and fast. In addition, the team have been fund-raising for three charities in the run up to the race – Daft as a Brush, the Stroke Association, and St Oswald’s Hospice. Donations can be made at www.teamtyneinnovation.com/support-our-bid/donations/.