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One last sunrise to sunset. One more session navigating the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles across the ocean – a monumental half-year voyage over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, malfunctioning navigation equipment and sweet treat crises – the sea had one more challenge.

A gusting 20-knot wind off Cairns kept pushing their compact craft, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach.

Supporters anticipated on shore as an expected noon touchdown shifted to 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then twilight hours. Finally, at 6.42pm, they reached the Cairns sailing 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 drifted outside the navigational path and contemplated a final swim to land. To finally be here, following years of planning, just feels incredible."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

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

Over 165 days at sea, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, rowing in tandem during the day, one rowing alone at night while her crewmate slept minimal sleep in a tight compartment.

Perseverance and Difficulties

Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a water desalinator and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the women counted on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for a fraction of the power they've needed.

During most of their voyage over the enormous Pacific, they lacked directional instruments or location transmitters, turning them into a "ghost ship", hardly noticeable to maritime traffic.

The women endured 30-foot swells, traversed marine highways and weathered furious gales that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Record-Breaking Achievement

And they've kept rowing, stroke by relentless stroke, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

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

Daily Reality at Sea

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization outside their tiny vessel.

On "day 140-something", they declared a "cocoa crisis" – down to their last two bars with still more than 1,600km to go – but allowed themselves the indulgence of unwrapping a portion to celebrate England's Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

Personal Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience before her solo Atlantic crossing in 2022 in a record time.

She now has a second ocean conquered. But there were moments, she conceded, when they doubted their success. Beginning on the sixth day, a route across the globe's vastest waters felt impossible.

"Our energy was failing, the freshwater system lines broke, however following multiple fixes, we managed a bypass and just limped along with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we merely made eye contact and went, 'naturally it happened!' Yet we continued forward."

"Jess made an exceptional crewmate. The remarkable aspect was our collaborative effort, 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 crossed the Atlantic by rowing, walked the southwestern English coastline, ascended Mount Kenya and biked through Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions together as well. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."