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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers at sea – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey across the Pacific that included intimate meetings with marine giants, malfunctioning navigation equipment and cocoa supply emergencies – the sea had one more challenge.

Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns continuously drove their tiny rowboat, their boat Velocity, from the terra firma that was now achingly close.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival became 2pm, then 4pm, then early evening. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached the Cairns sailing club.

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

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and contemplated a final swim to land. To at last reach our destination, after talking about it for so long, seems absolutely amazing."

The Epic Journey Begins

The UK duo – aged 28 and 25 respectively – set out from Peruvian shores on May fifth (a first try in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Across nearly half a year on water, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, rowing in tandem during the day, individual night shifts while her teammate dozed just a few hours in a tight compartment.

Survival and Challenges

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the duo depended upon an inconsistent solar power setup for a fraction of the power they've needed.

For much of their journey through the expansive ocean, they lacked directional instruments or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, almost invisible to other vessels.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, crossed commercial routes and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

Yet they continued paddling, stroke by relentless stroke, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the pioneering women's team to paddle over the South Pacific, without breaks or external assistance.

Furthermore they gathered more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Life Aboard

The pair did their best to stay connected with society away from their compact craft.

During the 140s of their journey, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – reduced to their final two portions with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of breaking one open to mark the English squad's winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Reflections

Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey during 2022 establishing a record.

She now has a second ocean conquered. Yet there were periods, she conceded, when they doubted their success. Beginning on the sixth day, a way across the world's largest ocean appeared insurmountable.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and just limped along with minimal electricity throughout the remaining journey. Each time problems occurred, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'naturally it happened!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. What was great was that we worked hard together, we resolved issues as a team, and we were always working towards the same goals," she stated.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she paddled the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys collectively once more. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."