Valentina Cafolla’s 140-metre plunge under ice has set a new world record for women’s dynamic freediving.

Ms Cafolla, 27, was competing at an event on Saturday in Lago di Anterselva, Italy, when she achieved the feat.

The previous world record in the women’s category was a 126-metre dive, set by Japanese athlete Yasuko Ozeki.

Dynamic freediving involves holding one’s breath while moving continuously underwater.

Ms Cafolla, who is an Italian-Croatian dual citizen, was pictured plunging under the ice in a bright orange wetsuit during her record-breaking dive.