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

However following over 15,000 kilometers at sea – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey over the Pacific Ocean that included near brushes with cetaceans, malfunctioning navigation equipment and cocoa supply emergencies – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind approaching Cairns kept pushing their small vessel, their boat Velocity, from the terra firma that was now achingly close.

Friends and family waited ashore as a scheduled lunchtime finish shifted to 2pm, followed by 4pm, then twilight hours. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached the Cairns sailing club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe said, at last on firm earth.

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We found ourselves beyond the marked route 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 – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – set out from Peruvian shores on May fifth (an initial attempt in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

During 165 ocean days, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, working as a team through daytime hours, one rowing alone at night while her partner rested minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a seawater purification system and an integrated greens production unit, the women counted on a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

Throughout the majority of their expedition through the expansive ocean, they lacked directional instruments 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, at times, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, below stellar evening heavens.

They established a fresh milestone as the pioneering women's team to paddle over the South Pacific, without breaks or external assistance.

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

Daily Reality at Sea

The women attempted to maintain communication with civilization beyond their small boat.

Around day one-forty, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

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

She now has a second ocean conquered. But there were moments, she conceded, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a route across the globe's vastest waters appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, however following multiple fixes, we managed a bypass and simply continued struggling with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we just looked at each other and went, 'naturally it happened!' But we kept going."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we addressed challenges collectively, and we were always working towards the same goals," she said.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, ascended Mount Kenya and cycled across Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."