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A final 24-hour stretch. Another day battling through the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers on the water – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey across the Pacific that included close encounters with whales, failing beacons and chocolate shortages – the sea had one more challenge.

Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns kept pushing their small vessel, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival shifted to 2pm, followed by 4pm, then twilight hours. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they arrived at Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe said, at last on firm earth.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and considered swimming the remaining distance. To finally be here, following years of planning, seems absolutely amazing."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – aged 28 and 25 respectively – departed from Lima, Peru in early May (an initial attempt in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

During 165 ocean days, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, rowing in tandem during the day, one rowing alone at night while her teammate dozed minimal sleep in a cramped cabin.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a saltwater conversion device and an integrated greens production unit, the pair have relied on an inconsistent solar power setup for only partial electrical requirements.

For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or location transmitters, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, navigated shipping lanes and endured raging storms that, on occasion, disabled all electrical systems.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Still they maintained progress, each pull following the last, across blazing hot days, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the initial female duo to cross the southern Pacific by rowing, non-stop and unsupported.

Additionally they collected over eighty-six thousand pounds (Australian $179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Existence Onboard

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization away from their compact craft.

On "day 140-something", they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with over 1,000 miles remaining – but permitted themselves the luxury of breaking one open to celebrate England's Red Roses victory in the World Cup.

Personal Reflections

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

She now has a second ocean conquered. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when they doubted their success. Starting within the first week, a way across the world's largest ocean seemed unachievable.

"Our energy was failing, the water-maker pipes burst, however following multiple fixes, we accomplished a workaround and just limped along with reduced energy during the final expedition phase. Whenever issues arose, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' But we kept going."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we resolved issues as a team, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she said.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she crossed the Atlantic by rowing, trekked England's coastal trail, climbed Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."