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One last sunrise to sunset. 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 extraordinary 165-day expedition across the Pacific that included close encounters with whales, failing beacons and sweet treat crises – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

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

Friends and family waited ashore as an expected noon touchdown evolved into afternoon, then 4pm, then early evening. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they arrived at Cairns Yacht Club.

"The concluding hours proved absolutely punishing," Rowe expressed, eventually on solid ground.

"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 at last reach our destination, following years of planning, just feels incredible."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

The British pair – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – departed from Lima, Peru on 5 May (an initial attempt in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Across nearly half a year on water, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, working as a team through daytime hours, one rowing alone at night while her teammate dozed minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Endurance and Obstacles

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a water desalinator and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the duo depended upon an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for limited energy demands.

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

The duo faced nine-meter waves, crossed commercial routes and endured raging storms that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, each pull following the last, through scorching daylight hours, below stellar evening heavens.

They have set a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

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

Daily Reality at Sea

The duo made every effort to keep in contact with the world beyond their small boat.

Around day one-forty, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – down to their last two bars with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but permitted themselves the luxury of breaking one open to honor England's rugby team winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, had not been at sea before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 achieving record pace.

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. Yet there were periods, she admitted, when failure seemed possible. As early as day six, a way across the world's largest ocean appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Each time problems occurred, we merely made eye contact and went, 'typically it occurred!' But we kept going."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she remarked.

Rowe is from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, hiked England's South West Coast Path, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're already excited to plan new adventures as a team again. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."