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A final 24-hour stretch. One more day up and down merciless swells. One more day of blistered hands gripping unforgiving oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage through Pacific waters that included intimate meetings with marine giants, failing beacons and sweet treat crises – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Strong 20-knot breezes approaching Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, their boat Velocity, from the terra firma that was now frustratingly within reach.

Loved ones gathered on land as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, then 4pm, then twilight hours. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached the Cairns sailing club.

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

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We drifted outside the navigational path and contemplated a final swim to land. To at last reach our destination, after talking about it for so long, just feels incredible."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – 28-year-old Rowe and 25-year-old Payne – departed from Lima, Peru on May fifth (an earlier April effort was derailed by a rudder failure).

Over 165 days at sea, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, paddling together in daylight, single rower overnight 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 duo depended upon a less-than-reliable solar system for a fraction of the power they've needed.

During most of their voyage over the enormous Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, nearly undetectable to passing ships.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, traversed marine highways and endured raging storms that, periodically, disabled all electrical systems.

Historic Accomplishment

Yet they continued paddling, each pull following the last, during intensely warm periods, below stellar evening heavens.

They have set a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, without breaks or external assistance.

And they have raised over eighty-six thousand pounds (A$179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to keep in contact with the world outside their tiny vessel.

Around day one-forty, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to honor England's rugby team triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Insights

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience 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 appeared insurmountable.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, however following multiple fixes, we accomplished a workaround and just limped along with little power throughout the remaining journey. Each time problems occurred, we merely made eye contact and went, 'typically it occurred!' But we kept going."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she stated.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she paddled the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, scaled the Kenyan peak and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

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