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One last sunrise to sunset. One more session navigating merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands gripping unforgiving oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage over the Pacific Ocean that included close encounters with whales, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind approaching Cairns continuously drove their tiny rowboat, their boat Velocity, from the terra firma that was now achingly close.

Friends and family waited ashore as a scheduled lunchtime finish became 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then dusk. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they arrived at the Cairns sailing club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe stated, eventually on solid ground.

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and thought we might have to swim to shore. To at last reach our destination, following years of planning, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The British pair – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – pushed off from Lima, Peru in early May (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, paddling together in daylight, single rower overnight while her partner rested minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.

Survival and Challenges

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a water desalinator and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the duo depended upon a less-than-reliable solar system for only partial electrical requirements.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or location transmitters, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, crossed commercial routes and weathered furious gales that, at times, silenced all of their electronics.

Historic Accomplishment

Still they maintained progress, stroke by relentless stroke, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, continuously and independently.

Furthermore they gathered more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization away from their compact craft.

Around day one-forty, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – reduced to their final two portions with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 achieving record pace.

She now has a second ocean conquered. But there were moments, she acknowledged, when failure seemed possible. Starting within the first week, a route across the globe's vastest waters felt impossible.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'of course it has!' Yet we continued forward."

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

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, scaled the Kenyan peak and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're already excited to plan new adventures collectively once more. No other partner would have sufficed."