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A final 24-hour stretch. Another day battling through the pitiless slide. Another round of raw palms holding onto unyielding oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers 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.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns repeatedly forced their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, off course from land that was now painfully near.

Loved ones gathered on land as an expected noon touchdown became 2pm, then 4pm, then dusk. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they came alongside Cairns Yacht Club.

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

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We drifted outside the navigational path and considered swimming the remaining distance. To at last reach our destination, after talking about it for so long, just feels incredible."

The Extraordinary Expedition Starts

The English women – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – set out from Peruvian shores in early May (a first try in April was stopped by equipment malfunction).

During 165 ocean days, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, rowing in tandem during the day, one rowing alone at night while her partner rested just a few hours in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a water desalinator and an integrated greens production unit, the women counted on a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

Throughout the majority of their expedition through the expansive ocean, they operated without navigation tools or signaling devices, turning them into a "ghost ship", nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, crossed commercial routes and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, disabled all electrical systems.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Still they maintained progress, each pull following the last, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They have set a new record as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, continuously and independently.

And they have raised more than £86,000 (A$179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Life Aboard

The women attempted 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 still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup.

Individual Perspectives

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 achieving record pace.

Another ocean now falls to her accomplishments. However there were instances, she admitted, when they doubted their success. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters felt impossible.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, however following multiple fixes, we managed a bypass and just limped along with minimal electricity throughout the remaining journey. Each time problems occurred, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'typically it occurred!' Still we persevered."

"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. Preceding her ocean conquest, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, trekked England's coastal trail, scaled the Kenyan peak and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Further adventures likely await.

"We had such a good time together, and we're already excited to plan new adventures together as well. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."