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A final 24-hour stretch. One more session navigating the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage through Pacific waters that included close encounters with whales, failing beacons and chocolate shortages – the sea had one more challenge.

Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns kept pushing their tiny rowboat, their boat Velocity, from the terra firma that was now frustratingly within reach.

Loved ones gathered on land as a planned midday arrival shifted to 2pm, then 4pm, then dusk. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe stated, finally standing on land.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We drifted outside the navigational path and contemplated a final swim to land. To finally be here, after extensive preparation, just feels incredible."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – pushed off from Lima, Peru on May fifth (an earlier April effort was stopped by equipment malfunction).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, paddling together in daylight, one rowing alone at night while her partner rested minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Survival and Challenges

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a water desalinator and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the women counted on an inconsistent solar power setup for limited energy demands.

During most of their voyage through the expansive ocean, they lacked directional instruments or signaling devices, creating a phantom vessel scenario, almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, crossed commercial routes and endured raging storms that, periodically, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, below stellar evening heavens.

They have set a new record as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

And they have raised more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Daily Reality at Sea

The women attempted to stay connected with society away from their compact craft.

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – down to their last two bars with over 1,000 miles remaining – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, had not been at sea before her solo Atlantic crossing during 2022 establishing a record.

She has now mastered another ocean. Yet there were periods, she acknowledged, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a route across the globe's vastest waters appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, however following multiple fixes, we achieved an alternative solution and barely maintained progress with reduced energy during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' Yet we continued forward."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she remarked.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, climbed Mount Kenya and cycled across Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We had such a good time together, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys as a team again. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."