ADRENALINE levels were high yesterday as the 16 London to Paris rowers boarded the ferry to the UK. Team leader Colin Fallaize said he was confident about the world-record attempt, which should start this lunchtime, after it was postponed from Monday with predictions of strong southerly winds.

‘The weather has opened up for us so we’re ready to take the opportunity. What we don’t want now are massive thunderstorms to get the Seine flooding. I haven’t looked that far, but we have good people monitoring that all the time,’ he said.

High rainfall would affect the flow of the River Seine – the last segment of the 480-mile challenge.

‘We have four days of rowing. The weather has changed in favour for us but there’s nothing to say that it couldn’t do the same against us.

‘There’s been a lot of planning. All throughout, you are thinking of the same finishing time. Now the suspense has turned into adrenaline, so we’re ready to put it on the line.’

The team hopes to break the existing record set by a Jersey crew in September 2000 of 90 hours, 33 minutes and 33 seconds. The money raised will fund an island-based MS nurse for three years.

Mr Fallaize said the men had shown patience and commitment, with many changing work and family schedules.

First-time challenger Joe Paul, 32, was at the ferry terminal saying goodbye to his wife, Andi, and daughters, Molly, 4, and Elizabeth, 2.

‘I’m excited and apprehensive. There’s mixed emotions but the rest of the boys are reassuring.

‘The newcomers are all ears but the preparation has to be internally focused. We’ve done all the external training but you also have to be mentally strong.’

The men have been given rowing rotas that include day and night-time shifts.

‘It’s at night that the biggest gremlins visit,’ said Mr Paul.

‘If we pass the finish line within the record time, the euphoria will set in, but ultimately we’ll be looking at the clock at how much money will be raised.’

Fellow challenger Andy Chapple, 42, is a veteran rower with 22 years’ experience. He rowed the Atlantic in 2001 and set a British record in the process.

‘The others are a bunch of youngsters,’ he said, adding that all rowing challenges were different.

‘This one has more teamwork than rowing the Atlantic with just two of you. We have to be at the right place at the right time.’

Others in the team are experienced, but Mr Chapple has the advantage of having undergone a constant row for 50 days.

He has been telling others that they will have to take advantage of their short rest times by eating and drinking plenty of water. He has every confidence that they will break the record.

‘Not a problem,’ he said.

* Organiser Rob Platts said this morning that there was optimism among the rowers and also a slight nervousness.

‘They are all going through their own rituals and have just had a good breakfast in a cafe for energy. The most important thing is that they drink loads, because it is going to be warm.’

Mr Platts confirmed they were now fairly confident that the weather was looking good for the row.

The 16 rowers are due to set off on their world-record attempt from Westminster Bridge at 1pm today.