ABERGAVENNY’S Elaine Theaker along with crewmates, Di Carrington and Sharon Magrath who set out on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - known as the world’s toughest rowing event, have this week smashed world records as they arrived safely in Antigua in their boat, Poppy

The Challenge took the three more than 3,000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua & Barbuda in an epic journey across the Atlantic Ocean which took them 60 days, 18 hours and 34 minutes.

As they crossed the finishing line they broke records as the first trio of women to take on the Atlantic or indeed any ocean, with Mrs Carrington at the age of 62 also breaking the record for the oldest women to row the Atlantic.

The trio also claimed the record for the fastest crew of three women to row any ocean

Mrs Theaker, is well known in Abergavenny as a lawyer and managing director of Advantage Legal and she and her team mates battled the elements and personal fatigue to make history.

She spoke recently about the joy of seeing dolphins and whales in close proximity, a thrill counterpointed by the agony of the sores caused by the constant rowing.

A livestream of the rowers crossing the finish has been viewed more than 9,000 times on the Facebook page of Atlantic Campaigns.

The news was announced on the team’s website which also revealed that the final 24 hours of the challenge had been among the most difficult with the boat capsizing twice.

“ They have overcome so much during the 60 days at sea. Proving to themselves and women around the world that age is truly just a number.”

A spokesman for race organiser said: “For the ladies, the last 24 hours of the race have been the most terrifying.

“They had to dig deep after capsizing twice in 24 hours and have overcome so much during their epic 60 days at sea.

The Atlantic Ladies embarked on the row with the aim of raising £30,000 for Alzheimer’s Society, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Relapsing Polychondritis UK.