The biennial event, now the biggest participant sporting event in the country after the city marathons, has grown each year since 2005 when the four waterfront clubs there combined to bring about one major regatta for the east coast town.
Its sporting significance as Ireland's biggest regatta is one thing but the tourism potential for Dun Laoghaire's business community is another, with an estimated spend from the 3500 participating sailors running to millions of Euro.
The town is twinned with Brest and the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is to forge new maritime links with Brittany to encourage more French entries at the Dublin bay event.
The Councillors also took a ride in the Volvo Ocean Race simulator in the harbour and came away hooked on sailing.
