Nothing but smooth sailing

THE Festival of Sails has gone off without a hitch according to event organiser Roger Bennett and excitement is already brewing for the festival’s 180th anniversary next year.

The Passage Race kicked off the event on Saturday followed by fireworks later that night which lit up Geelong’s Corio Bay.

Paul Buchholz and his Extasea team took home the win for the 179th Passage Race, a proud moment for his squad during such a historic race.

“All-around the race was fantastic, and the weather was great, and the day as a whole was a successful one to say the least,” Buchholz said following the win.

“We won the event two years ago, but this new boat we had worked wonders. We had constant breeze the whole way down to Geelong and we’re super thrilled with the result.

On the entertainment side of things, the new venture ‘Gigs by Festival of Sails’, a program bringing live music and local talent to businesses and venues across the Geelong CBD and was a success according to Mr Bennett.

“The gigs were great as they allowed the Geelong community to engage with the festival in other way with 50 bands involved in the entertainment over the days,” Mr Bennett said.

“The sailors were excited to be back, it was a challenge to get the event going, but the City of Greater Geelong and the State Government were a tremendous help.

“Next year’s festival we will be aiming for a bigger and better event.”