SOUTHBOURNE’S Clare Busst has the world record in her sights after taking gold at the British Indoor Rowing Championships.

The 33-year-old edged a step closer to her goal after landing the spoils in the 30-34 age group category in the lightweight division.

Busst, the elder sister of Poole Town footballer Dan Cann, is part of the Q-Power stable, an elite band of international rowers.

She recorded a time of seven minutes, 11.4 seconds at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff and will now travel to America to take her chance in the World Indoor Championships in Boston in February.

Competitors are put through their paces on a rowing machine in a high-octane environment and the British Championships are the largest indoor sporting event in the country.

Busst, currently the quickest rower in her age group in the country, told the Daily Echo: “I was 64 seconds off the British record in Cardiff and it has been held for about 13 years. I want to beat it and it is an achievable aim.

“My target by the time I get to Boston will be to break that record and to win there as well.

"Then, my focus over the next 18 months will be on trying to break the world record. It is going to take a lot of hard work and training.”

American Lisa Schlenker (6:56.7) has held the world record since 2000, while Nicky Dale (7:10.0) from Tideway Scullers in Chiswick set the British record in the same year.