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One more day. Another day battling through the pitiless slide. Another round of raw palms clutching relentless paddles.

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, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns kept pushing their small vessel, the Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, followed by 4pm, then early evening. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"The concluding hours proved absolutely punishing," Rowe said, at last on firm earth.

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We ended up outside the channel and thought we might have to swim to shore. To finally be here, after talking about it for so long, proves truly extraordinary."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

The UK duo – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – set out from Peruvian shores on 5 May (an earlier April effort was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, one rowing alone at night while her crewmate slept just a few hours in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the duo depended upon an inconsistent solar power setup for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey through the expansive ocean, they operated without navigation tools or location transmitters, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The women endured 30-foot swells, navigated shipping lanes and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Historic Accomplishment

And they've kept rowing, one stroke after another, through scorching daylight hours, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They have set a new record as the pioneering women's team to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

And they have raised in excess of £86k (Australian $179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Daily Reality at Sea

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization beyond their small boat.

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses victory in the World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, had not been at sea until she rowed the Atlantic solo during 2022 establishing a record.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she conceded, when they feared they wouldn't make it. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters felt impossible.

"Our energy was failing, the desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and just limped along with little power for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we just looked at each other and went, 'naturally it happened!' Yet we continued forward."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she remarked.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she paddled the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, climbed Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."