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One last sunrise to sunset. One more day up and down merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands clutching relentless paddles.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey across the Pacific that included intimate meetings with marine giants, failing beacons and cocoa supply emergencies – the waters delivered a last obstacle.

Powerful 20-knot gusts approaching Cairns kept pushing their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, from the terra firma that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a scheduled lunchtime finish shifted to 2pm, followed by 4pm, then early evening. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached Cairns Yacht Club.

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

"Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We drifted outside the navigational path and considered swimming the remaining distance. To ultimately arrive, after talking about it for so long, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The British pair – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – set out from Peruvian shores on May fifth (a first try in April was halted by steering issues).

Across nearly half a year on water, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, 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 saltwater conversion device and an integrated greens production unit, the duo depended upon a less-than-reliable solar system for only partial electrical requirements.

Throughout the majority of their expedition over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or beacon, creating a phantom vessel scenario, hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The pair have borne 9-metre waves, traversed marine highways and endured raging storms that, periodically, shut down every electronic device.

Historic Accomplishment

Still they maintained progress, one stroke after another, during intensely warm periods, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the first all-female pair to paddle over the South Pacific, without breaks or external assistance.

And they have raised more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) supporting Outward Bound.

Life Aboard

The women attempted to stay connected with society beyond their small boat.

On "day 140-something", they reported a "chocolate emergency" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with still more than 1,600km to go – but granted themselves the pleasure of opening one bar to celebrate England's Red Roses triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Reflections

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, was unacquainted with maritime life before her solo Atlantic crossing during 2022 establishing a record.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when failure seemed possible. Starting within the first week, a way across the world's largest ocean felt impossible.

"Our electrical systems were diminishing, the freshwater system lines broke, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and simply continued struggling with reduced energy during the final expedition phase. Each time problems occurred, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' Still we persevered."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we addressed challenges collectively, and we were always working towards the same goals," she stated.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she paddled the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. There might still be more.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys together as well. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."