AFTER months of preparation the biggest boat show in the south finally opens today.

Paralympic sailing hero Helena Lucas will be cutting the ribbon for the PSP Southampton Boat Show at 11am.

She will be joined by Mark Cavell and Ian walker who claimed silver in sailing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Celebrity spotters can also catch a glimpse of Formula One racer Jenson Button and TV pundit Eddie Jordan at the launch of Sunseeker’s new boat at 11.30am.

Cycling ace Dani King will also be making an appearance at the show, which runs until Monday September 23.

Two Royal Marines will also be trying to set the world record for the longest underwater swim today.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to be turning up to see the rows of glamourous and luxurious boats and getting wise to everything maritime.

Organisers hope the show will bring in surplus cash into the city while 120,000 people flock to the marina to see more than 1,000 boats moored at the pontoons.