A BLACKBURN woman has completed two thirds of a world-record Atlantic rowing crossing.

Helen Leigh, 26, a former St Wilfred’s High School pupil, is part of a five-strong, all-female crew aiming to raise £100,000 by sailing 3,000 miles unaided across the Atlantic in a tiny carbon boat.

After setting off more than four weeks ago they spent Christmas and New Year away from their families.

But now, with 900 miles to go, Helen said the team is desperate to make sure they break the female speed crossing record.

The record is currently 49 days and Helen said they are currently on course to finish in 44 days.

But as well as battling high winds, high waves and faulty equipment the team are now having to deal with the exhausting task of manually operating a water purification pump.

Speaking via a satellite telephone, she said: “operating the water pump is more tiring than the actual rowing and we are finding it tough.

“We spend 12 hours every day pumping the water and it takes a lot out of us.

“But we know we are on course to break the record and we are all so determined. We are all just desperately hoping that nothing else goes wrong.”

The Row for Freedom team began the challenge from the Canary Islands on December 7.

The team is bidding to reach the Bahamas in two weeks.

Before setting off the team received support from Olympic rowing legend Matthew Pinsent.

So far in the challenge they have suffered due to choppy waters and strong currents and there has been flooding problems in their cabin thanks to a faulty hatch.

The crew’s ‘autohelm’ is not functioning efficiently and the crew are also having problems with their rudder, meaning they must steer manually.

Helen said: “On Christmas Day we had the chance to call home, which was incredibly emotional. We even washed our hair, which was a real luxury.”