From highly optimised Half Tonners from the '70s and '80s to the modern production boats from Corby, X-Yachts and J Boats, the fascinating mix of boats in Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta IRC Two appears to have it all.
Overall, this 20-boat class has a wide range of cruisers studded with a few stand-out racers who can run away with the prize if they come prepared with a decent crew, but it may also be the hardest class to call given this weekend's wind conditions showing both light and strong winds.
Five boats are UK visitors, one from the Isle of Man, but the bulk is Dublin Based crews.
On paper, this month's Sovereign's Cup Champion Swuzzelbubble from Royal Cork Yacht Club is the boat to beat, and if James and Dave Dwyer's boat is to be beaten, then the challenge most likely comes from Darren Wright's Half Tonner Mata. Both have excellent pedigree and are exceptionally strong in light winds.
If windy though, expect another exciting battle at the top to be amongst the well-rated J97s. With three in the mix, Dun Laoghaire's Windjammer, the DBSC Cruisers Two champion with Noel Butler driving. Colin Kavanagh's fast lower-rated Jeneral Lee and Stephen Quinn's experienced Lambay Rules crew from Howth Yacht Club will keep it tight.
Interestingly, a smaller J92, Jack from East Antrim, sailed by Gavin Doig, is also in this class.
The conditions, if windy, will again bring the X-boats into contention, with Dux of Howth having an excellent record in past Dun Laoghaire races.
The Corby's are always quick - Gavin Doyle's Duff Lite comes off the back of recent RORC Two-handed success and Northern Ireland's Elixir is also lining up.
An outside bet for the podium might be the legendary three-quarter tonner Scenario Encore skippered by Dave Gould of the DMYC making a reappearance this season.
FNGr8, the optimised First Class 8, having performed so well at 2019 VDLR, is back as the smallest boat in Class Two. Renamed 'Allig8r', she is under the new ownership of a Dublin Bay syndicate of six friends Paddy Ryan, Mark Hennessy, Peter Levins, Colm O'Buachalla, Conor Twomey and Brendan Foley. Regular Afloat readers will recall her as the black-hulled 2018 Cork Week champion, skippered by Rory Fekkes from Carrickfergus Sailing Club.
"This is our first real test of the crew and boat. A top-ten result would be great in our first season with the boat and such a strong field. We are very interested to see how we go against the rest, as probably the smallest boat in the class", Foley told Afloat.
Early forecast
With so much riding on the optimum set-up for the prevailing conditions, an early peek at weather forecasts indicates there will be a breeze and plenty of it to produce a range of conditions over the four days. Medium to strong conditions with winds from a southerly quadrant will build from and provide some top-class conditions. Starting Thursday (July 6th), there will be medium conditions up to 13 mph with strong gusts for the first afternoon races. From there, the breeze is forecast to strengthen up to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and with its southerly direction, the six courses on the Dublin Bay race track can anticipate a big sea state to boot. Sunday's last races, however, may see a drop in wind strength for a light to medium-air conclusion to the 2023 event.