Field set for Festival of Sails passage race

A FLEET of more than 270 boats will compete in the 2019 Festival of Sails, one of Australia’s biggest celebrations of sailing, which kicks off with the Passage Race from Melbourne to Geelong on Australia Day.

Entries for Australia’s oldest sporting event closed at midnight on January 16 and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) said they were delighted with the result, which is on par with entries for last year’s event that marked the 175th anniversary of the passage race.

Festival of Sails chair Stuart Dickson said 276 keelboat entries were confirmed starters, and about 20 boats were expected to participate in Off the Beach, the RGYC’s dinghy sailing section.

“It’s fantastic to see so many keelboat entries with participants coming from every state and territory of Australia, except Northern Territory and international competitors heading to Geelong in coming days from Malaysia and the United States.”

“We expect about 3,000 participants will take part in the event and we are already seeing interstate boats arriving at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club in preparation for the Festival of Sails.

“We are looking forward to welcoming more competitors over coming days, ahead of what is looking like three spectacular days of sailing on the beautiful flat waters of Corio Bay,” he said.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the Geelong waterfront over the Australia Day long weekend.

Complementing the sailing is the Waterfront Festival, presented by Geelong Connected Communities, which will provide visitors with a smorgasbord of activities, live music and the Regional Artisan Fair, showcasing local produce.

The Royal Australian Airforce’s elite formation aerobatic display team, the Roulettes, will also make a stunning return to Geelong.

They will perform a 15-minute aerial display in their PC-9/A aircraft, over the RGYC and Eastern Beach Reserve from 1pm on January 26.

The Royal Australian Navy Band will also entertain crowds on Australia Day, with two sets starting at 12.30pm, from the Eastern Beach Reserve stage.

A fireworks display will be held at 9.15pm on Australia Day. The best vantage points will be from Eastern Beach Reserve and Ritchie Boulevard.

For more information, head to the website at festivalofsails.com.au.