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A final 24-hour stretch. Another day battling through the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles at sea – a monumental half-year voyage through Pacific waters that included near brushes with cetaceans, failing beacons and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind approaching Cairns repeatedly forced their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.

Loved ones gathered on land as a scheduled lunchtime finish became 2pm, then 4pm, then twilight hours. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"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 ended up outside the channel and contemplated a final swim to land. To at last reach our destination, following years of planning, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The UK duo – aged 28 and 25 respectively – departed from Lima, Peru in early May (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, individual night shifts while her partner rested a bare handful of hours in a cramped cabin.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a water desalinator and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on a less-than-reliable solar system for only partial electrical requirements.

For much of their journey through the expansive ocean, they operated without navigation tools or location transmitters, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and survived violent tempests that, periodically, disabled all electrical systems.

Groundbreaking Success

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

They have set a new record as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

And they have raised more than £86,000 (179,000 Australian dollars) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to keep in contact with the world away from their compact craft.

Around day one-forty, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – reduced to their final two portions with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses triumph in global rugby competition.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience prior to her independent Atlantic journey in 2022 achieving record pace.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when failure seemed possible. Starting within the first week, a path over the planet's biggest sea seemed unachievable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, but after nine repairs, we achieved an alternative solution and just limped along with little power during the final expedition phase. Whenever issues arose, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' Yet we continued forward."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we addressed challenges collectively, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she said.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she paddled the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, climbed Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're already excited to plan new adventures collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."