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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.

Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles on the water – a monumental half-year voyage over the Pacific Ocean that included near brushes with cetaceans, failing beacons and chocolate shortages – the ocean presented a final test.

Powerful 20-knot gusts approaching Cairns continuously drove their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as an expected noon touchdown became 2pm, then 4pm, then dusk. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached the Cairns sailing club.

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

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We ended up outside the channel and considered swimming the remaining distance. To finally be here, after extensive preparation, seems absolutely amazing."

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).

During 165 ocean days, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her crewmate slept a bare handful of hours in a tight compartment.

Survival and Challenges

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the pair have relied on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for a fraction of the power they've needed.

Throughout the majority of their expedition across the vast Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or location transmitters, creating a phantom vessel scenario, hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Record-Breaking Achievement

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.

They established a fresh milestone as the initial female duo to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, without breaks or external assistance.

Additionally they collected over eighty-six thousand pounds (179,000 Australian dollars) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Existence Onboard

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

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – down to their last two bars with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to celebrate England's Red Roses triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Reflections

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, lacked ocean experience until she rowed the Atlantic solo during 2022 establishing a record.

She now has a second ocean conquered. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and simply continued struggling with minimal electricity for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'of course it has!' Still we persevered."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we addressed challenges collectively, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.

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

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're already excited to plan new adventures collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."