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Women make history with Pacific crossing

A group of six British women, known as the Coxless Crew, have made history by rowing across the Pacific Ocean over nine months.

Record women's rowing crossing
@CoxlessCrew on Twitter Source: Twitter

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Source: AAP


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They've been smashed by waves in the dark, circled by sharks and spent most of the last nine months sleeping two hours at a time.

But, after 257 days, a six-woman team of British rowers have become the first female crew and the first crew rowing four at a time to cross the Pacific Ocean.

The Coxless Crew's more than 15,500km adventure started in San Francisco in April and ended with wobbly steps onto Marlin Marina at Cairns on Monday.

"You feel a little bit like a sock man," crew member Natalia Cohen said of her first steps off the boat.

"It's actually really strange to know that this is the final time."

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The sextet rowed 24-hours straight in two-hour shifts and only stopped on land twice, for up to a week, during the journey.

Their 29-foot boat, named Doris, contained a cabin the size of a two-man tent in which the women washed, cleaned and slept.

"It's very hot and very sweaty, especially in big waves where we have to keep the hatchets closed," Emma Mitchell said.

"It's kind of like being in a two-man tent-sized sauna.

Ms Mitchell, Ms Cohen and team leader Laura Penhaul each rowed the entire trip while Isabel Burnham, Lizanne Van Vuuren and Meg Dyos rowed a leg each.

The women had been expected to dock on Sunday but were delayed by weather.

Ms Dyos says she's looking forward to eating more substantial meals after living off food that doesn't require chewing.

"Basically everything is made with hot water, (you) mix it for a bit (and) five minutes later, it's all ready," she said

"I think we're quite looking forward to having a chew."

The women started their trip hoping to raise more than $500,000 for charity but have so far managed around $77,500.

Their proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Care and veterans charity Walking With The Wounded, which helps returned servicewomen.


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