Scottish woman attempts to break world shearing record

Scottish sheep shearer Una Cameron has been on a “strict exercise and dietary regime” for her world record attempt next month, British Wool has said.

Cameron is under the guidance of personal trainer Matt Luxton, who has trained over 10 world shearing record holders.

Her world record attempt will take place on Wednesday, August 7, on the farm of British Wool ambassador and world record holder Matt Smith in Cornwall.

Cameron will attempt to shear more than 458 ewes in nine hours.

The current world record was set on February 9 this year by Sacha Bond in New Zealand. She bettered shearer Kerri-Jo Te Huia’s record (452) of six years standing, by six ewes.

Shearing manager at British Wool, Richard Schofield, said: “Una is an experienced shearer and her knowledge and experiences of shearing will I’m sure put her in a strong position as she attempts her world record.

“As a member organisation, British Wool are totally committed to supporting the high quality shearing we have here in the UK and are delighted to be supporting Una to help her achieve her goals and wish her the very best of luck.”

Una Cameron

Over the past three decades, Cameron has worked in a predominately male profession and has more than held her own, Britis h Wool said.

Following her shearing season in New Zealand, during the Scottish winter months, she has been working with Matt Smith before she came home to the Borders for her own shearing run.

Since the record was announced, Cameron 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.

On her upcoming world record attempt, Cameron said: “I have always wanted to attempt a world record and after over a year of preparation, I’m only a matter of weeks away.

“It was good spending time down south working mainly on Poll Dorsets, but the weather has made it very challenging for both me and the sheep this year with the constant rain and it’s been so cold.

“I came down to Cornwall on July 19 to work on Romney ewes before the big day. To beat the record by one, I will have to average a minute and nine seconds a sheep all day.”

Preparation for any shearing record is key, especially a World Record, and Cameron’s preparation includes regular exercise lifting weights three days a week, doing mobility three days and cardio on a Sunday.

“I’ve just started using an ice bath…the first time I lasted a minute and was watching every second tick by. I’ve now coped with two minutes. It apparently aids recovery, but I’m not convinced.

“The diet has fancy recipes, which I don’t have enough time to make, but basically if it swam, walked or grew in the ground, I can eat it. But unfortunately, you can’t throw a Snickers bar in the air and say it flew.”

Cameron’s world record attempt will start at 5:00a.m on August 7 and conclude at 5:00p.m. It will follow this structure: