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A final 24-hour stretch. One more session navigating the unforgiving ocean. Another round of raw palms holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – a monumental half-year voyage over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and cocoa supply emergencies – the ocean presented a final test.

A gusting 20-knot wind off Cairns continuously drove their tiny rowboat, their rowing boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close.

Supporters anticipated on shore as an expected noon touchdown became 2pm, then 4pm, then dusk. Finally, at 6.42pm, they reached the Cairns marina.

"Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe stated, at last on firm earth.

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We drifted outside the navigational path and considered swimming the remaining distance. To at last reach our destination, following years of planning, seems absolutely amazing."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The English women – aged 28 and 25 respectively – pushed off from Lima, Peru on 5 May (a first try in April was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, working as a team through daytime hours, individual night shifts while her crewmate slept minimal sleep in a cramped cabin.

Endurance and Obstacles

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the women counted on a less-than-reliable solar system for limited energy demands.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they operated without navigation tools or signaling devices, creating a phantom vessel scenario, hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and survived violent tempests that, at times, disabled all electrical systems.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Still they maintained progress, one stroke after another, during intensely warm periods, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the initial female duo to paddle over the South Pacific, continuously and independently.

Additionally they collected in excess of £86k (Australian $179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Life Aboard

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization beyond their small boat.

On "day 140-something", they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Reflections

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, lacked ocean experience before her solo Atlantic crossing during 2022 establishing a record.

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 appeared insurmountable.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and simply continued struggling with minimal electricity during the final expedition phase. Whenever issues arose, we merely made eye contact and went, 'typically it occurred!' Yet we continued forward."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, we addressed challenges collectively, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she remarked.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she rowed the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, ascended Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."