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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles at sea – an extraordinary 165-day expedition over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and cocoa supply emergencies – the ocean presented a final test.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns kept pushing their tiny rowboat, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Loved ones gathered on land as a scheduled lunchtime finish became 2pm, followed by 4pm, then twilight hours. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they reached the Cairns marina.

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

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We drifted outside the navigational path and contemplated a final swim to land. To ultimately arrive, following years of planning, seems absolutely amazing."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – aged 28 and 25 respectively – set out from Peruvian shores in early May (an initial attempt in April was stopped by equipment malfunction).

Across nearly half a year on water, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, one rowing alone at night while her crewmate slept minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the women counted on an inconsistent solar power setup for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, almost invisible to other vessels.

The women endured 30-foot swells, traversed marine highways and endured raging storms that, at times, shut down every electronic device.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Yet they continued paddling, each pull following the last, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.

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

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

Life Aboard

The duo made every effort to keep in contact with the world outside their tiny vessel.

During the 140s of their journey, they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, had not been at sea before her solo Atlantic crossing during 2022 establishing a record.

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. Yet there were periods, she admitted, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a path over the planet's biggest sea appeared insurmountable.

"Our energy was failing, the desalination tubes ruptured, but after nine repairs, 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, 'naturally it happened!' Still we persevered."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she paddled the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, climbed Mount Kenya and cycled across Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys together as well. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."