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One more day. One more day up and down the unforgiving ocean. Another round of raw palms clutching relentless paddles.

Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles across the ocean – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey through Pacific waters that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and cocoa supply emergencies – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Powerful 20-knot gusts off Cairns repeatedly forced their small vessel, the Velocity, from the terra firma that was now frustratingly within reach.

Loved ones gathered on land as a scheduled lunchtime finish became 2pm, followed by 4pm, then twilight hours. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they arrived at the Cairns sailing club.

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

"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 ultimately arrive, after extensive preparation, seems absolutely amazing."

The Epic Journey Begins

The British pair – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – set out from Peruvian shores on 5 May (an initial attempt in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Over 165 days at sea, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, paddling together in daylight, one rowing alone at night while her partner rested minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.

Endurance and Obstacles

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on an inconsistent solar power setup for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they operated without navigation tools or beacon, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, traversed marine highways and survived violent tempests that, periodically, silenced all of their electronics.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, one stroke after another, through scorching daylight hours, below stellar evening heavens.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, without breaks or external assistance.

Additionally they collected in excess of £86k (Australian $179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to keep in contact with the world outside their tiny vessel.

Around day one-forty, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to honor England's rugby team triumph in global rugby competition.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey during 2022 establishing a record.

She now has a second ocean conquered. But there were moments, she conceded, when failure seemed possible. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, but after nine repairs, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Whenever issues arose, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' But we kept going."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we addressed challenges collectively, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she said.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she rowed the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, scaled the Kenyan peak and cycled across Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. No other partner would have sufficed."