In Port-Camargue, the quayside and the forecourt of the harbour master's office are "working".

For Jérémie Béclair, the stage manager, who is used to this kind of event, it's looking good. "It's a big organisation, but I know how to manage it. We've got a lot of volunteers, which is great. In all, we'll have more than thirty pagoda tents, Tipis, the podium car, the central stage, the refreshment bar, three foodtrucks, a VIP area and let's not forget the petanque pitch. All this will be ready on time.

Class40s, Ocean Fifties and Barques catalanes docked!

For their part, the Catalan boats put on a show, mooring up alongside the quay under the harbourmaster's office. So far, two have arrived from the nearby port of Grau-du-Roi. Eight others will follow in the coming days, disembarking from Palavas, Bouzigues and Port-Vendres.

"We have Bir Hakeim, a venerable Catalan barque built in 1958, and Mireille, a Mourre de Porc, also not very young, smiles Fred Verdeil, chairman of the Siloe association, which works to promote social integration and prevent delinquency by maintaining and restoring maritime heritage. We're celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. And being here for the MedMax will give us the chance to raise awareness of our activities and treat the public to some great sea outings".

And there is already an audience in Port-Camargue at the start of this weekend, under the sun of an Indian summer finally on schedule, with a few tourists coming to enjoy the spectacle of the Class40s and Ocean Fifties already on station. All the while waiting for the fleet of these impressive racing beasts to reach their full complement in the port of Gard. All of which foreshadows the growing popular enthusiasm, just a few days before the opening of the village and the start of the race on 29 September.