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One more day. Another day battling through the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey through Pacific waters that included near brushes with cetaceans, defective signaling devices and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns continuously drove their tiny rowboat, their boat Velocity, away from solid ground that was now frustratingly within reach.

Supporters anticipated on shore as an expected noon touchdown shifted to 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then dusk. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe said, finally standing on land.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We ended up outside the channel and considered swimming the remaining distance. To finally be here, after talking about it for so long, just feels incredible."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

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

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, single rower overnight while her teammate dozed a bare handful of hours in a tight compartment.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a saltwater conversion device and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the women counted on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for only partial electrical requirements.

During most of their voyage through the expansive ocean, they've had no navigation equipment or location transmitters, creating a phantom vessel scenario, almost invisible to other vessels.

The women endured 30-foot swells, crossed commercial routes and survived violent tempests that, at times, silenced all of their electronics.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, each pull following the last, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They have set a new record as the first all-female pair to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, non-stop and unsupported.

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

Daily Reality at Sea

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

Around day one-forty, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – reduced to their final two portions with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

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

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

"Our power was dropping, the desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and just limped along with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Each time problems occurred, we merely made eye contact and went, 'typically it occurred!' But we kept going."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she stated.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, ascended Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. There might still be more.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys together as well. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."