The early morning storm and torrential rain have done nothing to dampen the spirits of visitors in St Tropez for the opening of the Hanseatic Lloyd-sponsored Dragon 75th anniversary regatta. While the remnants of last week’s Voile de St Tropez classic regatta are being tidied up, streams of Dragons are pouring into the village in preparation for tomorrow’s first race, which kicks off at midday.

The event has attracted an incredible turnout of 270 boats from 32 different countries with an entry list looking like the who’s who of yachting including oodles of Olympic medallists, America’s Cup sailors, and a long list of royalty. Royalty from a total of seven European countries will be represented at the event including HRH The Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, HRH The Prince Consort of Denmark, HM King Juan Carlos, HM King Constantine of Greece, HRH Ludwig Prinz von Bayern, HRH The Princess Royal, plus members of the Swedish and Norwegian Royal Families. The Olympic medallist line up includes Jesper Bank, Poul- Richard Hoj-Jensen, Russell Coutts, Peder Lunde and Ulli Libor.

The list goes on but another notable name that stands out on the entry list is 84-year-old Borge Borresen who’ll be pitting himself against the large fleet in the Over 65s Race on Friday.

But before then, there are plenty of other battles to be won on and off the water including a boules tornament and a ‘who can be the last the leave’ competition at tonight’s cocktail party hosted by the Mayor of St Tropez!

The first series race in the 75th anniversary regatta starts tomorrow at 1200.