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One more day. One more session navigating the unforgiving ocean. One more day of blistered hands gripping unforgiving oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – an extraordinary 165-day expedition through Pacific waters that included intimate meetings with marine giants, malfunctioning navigation equipment and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns kept pushing their small vessel, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close.

Loved ones gathered on land as an expected noon touchdown shifted to 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then twilight hours. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," 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 thought we might have to swim to shore. To ultimately arrive, after talking about it for so long, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The British pair – aged 28 and 25 respectively – departed from Lima, Peru on May fifth (a first try in April was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her teammate dozed a bare handful of hours in a confined sleeping area.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the women counted on an inconsistent solar power setup for limited energy demands.

During most of their voyage through the expansive ocean, they operated without navigation tools or beacon, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and weathered furious gales that, at times, silenced all of their electronics.

Historic Accomplishment

And they've kept rowing, each pull following the last, during intensely warm periods, below stellar evening heavens.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the pioneering women's team to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, continuously and independently.

Additionally they collected in excess of £86k (179,000 Australian dollars) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to stay connected with society away from their compact craft.

During the 140s of their journey, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with over 1,000 miles remaining – but granted themselves the pleasure of breaking one open to mark the English squad's winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 in a record time.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. Starting within the first week, a way across the world's largest ocean seemed unachievable.

"Our electrical systems were diminishing, the water-maker pipes burst, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we just looked at each other and went, 'typically it occurred!' But we kept going."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. Our mutual dedication stood out, we addressed challenges collectively, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she remarked.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, hiked England's South West Coast Path, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. There might still be more.

"We had such a good time together, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys together as well. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."