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A final 24-hour stretch. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. Another round of raw palms holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – a monumental half-year voyage across the Pacific that included near brushes with cetaceans, failing beacons and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes off Cairns repeatedly forced their tiny rowboat, their boat 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 twilight hours. Finally, at 6.42pm, they arrived at the Cairns marina.

"The concluding hours proved absolutely punishing," Rowe said, 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 considered swimming the remaining distance. To ultimately arrive, after talking about it for so long, seems absolutely amazing."

The Epic Journey Begins

The UK duo – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – departed from Lima, Peru on 5 May (an initial attempt in April was stopped by equipment malfunction).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, single rower overnight while her crewmate slept minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the pair have relied on 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, turning them into a "ghost ship", almost invisible to other vessels.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, navigated shipping lanes and weathered furious gales that, periodically, silenced all of their electronics.

Groundbreaking Success

And they've kept rowing, one stroke after another, across blazing hot days, below stellar evening heavens.

They established a fresh milestone as the first all-female pair to paddle over the South Pacific, without breaks or external assistance.

And they have raised over eighty-six thousand pounds (179,000 Australian dollars) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Daily Reality at Sea

The pair did their best to stay connected with society outside their tiny vessel.

During the 140s of their journey, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – reduced to their final two portions with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but granted themselves the pleasure of breaking one open to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life until she rowed the Atlantic solo during 2022 establishing a record.

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. But there were moments, she conceded, when they doubted their success. As early as day six, a path over the planet's biggest sea seemed unachievable.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with reduced energy during the final expedition phase. Whenever issues arose, we just looked at each other and went, 'typically it occurred!' Yet we continued forward."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we problem-solved together, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she rowed the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, climbed Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're already excited to plan new adventures collectively once more. No other partner would have sufficed."