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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down the unforgiving ocean. One more day of blistered hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey across the Pacific that included intimate meetings with marine giants, malfunctioning navigation equipment and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

Strong 20-knot breezes near Cairns repeatedly forced their small vessel, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close.

Supporters anticipated on shore as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, followed by 4pm, then early evening. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

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

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We drifted outside the navigational path and thought we might have to swim to shore. To ultimately arrive, after talking about it for so long, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The UK duo – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – set out from Peruvian shores on 5 May (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, working as a team through daytime hours, individual night shifts while her partner rested a bare handful of hours in a tight compartment.

Endurance and Obstacles

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a saltwater conversion device and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they operated without navigation tools or signaling devices, making them essentially invisible, hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, navigated shipping lanes and survived violent tempests that, periodically, shut down every electronic device.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, stroke by relentless stroke, during intensely warm periods, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They established a fresh milestone as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

And they have raised over eighty-six thousand pounds (A$179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Life Aboard

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

Around day one-forty, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with over 1,000 miles remaining – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Insights

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, had not been at sea before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 in a record time.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. Starting within the first week, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and simply continued struggling with reduced energy throughout the remaining journey. Whenever issues arose, we just looked at each other and went, 'typically it occurred!' 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 consistently shared identical objectives," she stated.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're already excited to plan new adventures as a team again. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."