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One more day. Another day battling through merciless swells. Another round of raw palms gripping unforgiving oars.

Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles at sea – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey across the Pacific that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and sweet treat crises – the ocean presented a final test.

Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns continuously drove their compact craft, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Supporters anticipated on shore as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, then 4pm, then dusk. Finally, at 6.42pm, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe said, finally standing on land.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We ended up outside the channel and contemplated a final swim to land. To finally be here, after extensive preparation, seems absolutely amazing."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

The UK duo – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – departed from Lima, Peru on May fifth (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).

During 165 ocean days, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, working as a team through daytime hours, individual night shifts while her teammate dozed minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and an integrated greens production unit, the pair have relied on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for a fraction of the power they've needed.

During most of their voyage across the vast Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or signaling devices, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, traversed marine highways and weathered furious gales that, periodically, disabled all electrical systems.

Historic Accomplishment

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They have set a new record as the initial female duo to paddle over the South Pacific, continuously and independently.

Furthermore they gathered more than £86,000 (A$179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Daily Reality at Sea

The women attempted to stay connected with society away from their compact craft.

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with over 1,000 miles remaining – but granted themselves the pleasure of unwrapping a portion to honor England's rugby team winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey in 2022 in a record time.

She now has a second ocean conquered. However there were instances, she admitted, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we managed a bypass and simply continued struggling with reduced energy throughout the remaining journey. Each time problems occurred, we merely made eye contact and went, 'naturally it happened!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. Our mutual dedication stood out, we addressed challenges collectively, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she stated.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"We had such a good time together, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."