‘Those final few hours were brutal’: British duo end epic journey in Australia after rowing across Pacific Ocean

Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne have set a new record with their five-and-a-half-month crossing from Lima to Cairns

One more day. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. One more day of blistered hands gripping unforgiving oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles (15,000km) at sea – 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.

A gusting 20-knot wind off Cairns kept pushing Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne’s tiny rowboat, the 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. Finally, at 6.42pm, they came alongside at Cairns Yacht Club.