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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, failing beacons and sweet treat crises – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

A gusting 20-knot wind approaching Cairns repeatedly forced their small vessel, their rowing boat Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.

Supporters anticipated on shore as a scheduled lunchtime finish became 2pm, followed by 4pm, then early evening. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they arrived at 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 genuinely believed we might fail. We drifted outside the navigational path and thought we might have to swim to shore. To ultimately arrive, after extensive preparation, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

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

During 165 ocean days, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her partner rested minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a water desalinator and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the duo depended upon a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

Throughout the majority of their expedition over the enormous Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The women endured 30-foot swells, traversed marine highways and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, silenced all of their electronics.

Groundbreaking Success

Still they maintained progress, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, below stellar evening heavens.

They have set a new record as the pioneering women's team to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, without breaks or external assistance.

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

Daily Reality at Sea

The women attempted to stay connected with society beyond their small boat.

Around day one-forty, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – down to their last two bars with over 1,000 miles remaining – but granted themselves the pleasure of breaking one open to mark the English squad's victory in the World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, had not been at sea until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 achieving record pace.

She has now mastered another ocean. Yet there were periods, she conceded, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a path over the planet's biggest sea felt impossible.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with minimal electricity throughout the remaining journey. Every time something went wrong, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' But we kept going."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we were always working towards the same goals," she stated.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"We had such a good time together, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."