Geelong’s Festival of Sails is on track for another spectacular event. Today marks 100 days until the 2019 Festival of Sails kicks off on Australia Day, January 26, 2019.
In a positive sign for the event, entries for the 2019 three-day regatta – which runs from January 26 to 28 – are currently tracking above numbers recorded at the same time of the year, for the previous two events.
“We’re delighted,” Festival of Sails Chairman Stuart Dickson says. “So far, we’ve already received more than 50 entries, which is well ahead of schedule for this time of the year, which is a great sign that people are keen to support the event and compete.”
“We usually see an influx of entries after the Christmas holiday period so it is exceptionally pleasing to see people getting in early. With the busy festive season around the corner, now is an ideal time for participants to sign up and get their crew and boat ready.”
Early entries include Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban from NSW, the winner of the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and 2018 Festival of Sails. Other entries so far, include two multihulls from South Australia, Peter Hawker’s Carbon Credit and Gerald Volk’s Crosshair; plus 11 entries in the VX One Australian Championships, including two Geelong boats vying for the title.
“The Festival of Sails caters for all levels of sailing, from high performance racing machines to family cruisers and junior sailors. There really is something for everyone and we are looking forward to welcoming many more entries, big and small,” says Stuart Dickson.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club is expecting sailors from across Australia as well as overseas for the largest keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. And in 2019, the Festival of Sails will join forces with the prestigious Australian Yachting Championships to create a weeklong celebration of summer sailing in Victoria next January.
The Australian Yachting Championships will be held at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda from January 22 to 24, 2019, providing the perfect opportunity for sailors to compete in both regattas, back to back.
The timing is also ideal for sailors who may have completed the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, to compete in the Australian Yachting Championships and the Festival of Sails on their way home.
Highlights of the 2019 Festival of Sails will be the Royal Geelong Yacht Club hosting three Australian Championships as part of the action – the VX One Class Australian Championships, Australian Sports Boat Championship and the J111 Australian Championship.
Thousands of people are again expected to flock to the Geelong waterfront during the 2019 Festival of Sails to enjoy a variety of waterfront activities for the whole family.
Music legend Russell Morris, formidable vocal duo Vika & Linda and soulful pop artist Taylor Sheridan will headline the entertainment, which will see 30 artists, including local singers, performing on two stages over three days. Other waterfront activities will include Come and Try sailing, stand up paddle boarding and virtual reality sailing.
Festival of Sails online entries close Friday January 11, 2019 at midnight and thereafter a late fee of $250 may apply up until the final closing date of Tuesday January 15, 2019.
