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.
Darren Wright's Half-Tonner Mata from Howth Photo: Afloat
The late Bruce Lyster (on left) as his hugely successful Half Tonner Swuzzlebubble finishes first in the late August 1980 Abersoch-Howth Race to add the ISORA Championship Title to a season of national and international success. 43 years later, Swuzzlebubble is back on Dublin Bay seeking more silverware this week at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: W M Nixon
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.
Lindsay Casey's Royal St. George J97 Windjammer is one of three such designs in Class Two IRC Two of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023 Photo: Afloat
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.
Howth Yacht Club X302 campaigner Dux - strong performer in breeze
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.
Irish skipper Gavin Doyle from the National Yacht Club won the Royal Ocean Racing Club's (RORC) De Guingand Bowl Offshore Race in May Photo: Paul Wyeth/RORC
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.
Dave Gould's three-quarter tonner Scenario Encore competing at the Sovereign's Cup in June Photo: Bob Bateman
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.
