THE London-to-Paris rowers were ahead of a record-breaking schedule in the middle of the English Channel early yesterday evening. Coastguards told shipping in the channel to make way for the Fitness Factory crew as they started to cross the channel in mid-afternoon.

David Farrimond, a member of the organising committee, who is in Guernsey, said yesterday evening that he would not know anything until the early hours of today because of the difficulty of contacting the rowers in the middle of the channel.

‘All is well and they are a little ahead of schedule,’ he said. ‘But that doesn’t mean too much. If they arrive at the mouth of the Seine too early, they can’t immediately go up because they can’t row against the tide. They will probably ease off a little.’

Mr Farrimond said that the earliest-possible time that the team could start rowing up the river to Paris was 9am French time.

‘That’s the time to enter. They keep a close eye on things. It’s better to ease up and get there on time rather than sit there wallowing.’

Mr Farrimond said that the rowers were happy with the weather forecast yesterday afternoon.

‘Rob Platts [the main organiser of the row] did mention that there’s a south-westerly blowing force two to three, which seemed to be building to a force four. However, because they are ahead of schedule, they don’t envisage that would lead to any problems.’

At 4pm yesterday, the rowers were halfway across the channel.

‘In that first half they had seen only one ship, which is obviously good news. They hoped that would continue,’ said Mr Farrimond.

‘Morale is high. There are one or two aches and pains but nothing that’s a problem.’

The halfway point of the 480-mile challenge is only 40 miles from the mouth of the Seine.

The rowers said that the text messages they had received from supporters were proving to be a great encouragement.

‘The rowers have definitely been helped by the texts, as they know people at home are right behind them,’ said journalist Warren Mauger, who is travelling with the support crew.

The morning’s rowing was challenging, as the teams fought the tide and were battered by strong waves.

If they finish on schedule, the rowers should complete the effort in the early hours of Monday.