Festival of Sails countdown

The festival, which is the largest keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, is expecting 300 boats and 3,000 competitors to be part of the festival.

The event is hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the Australia Day long weekend (January 25 to 27).

Divided into several different classes, the boats race from Melbourne to Geelong.

Festival of Sails chair Stuart Dickson said he was excited attending the event had become a tradition for many, with several new competitors also expected.

“We look forward to welcoming back our regular competitors but also hope to introduce the event to others competing for the first time.”

The festival has a strong family focus this year, with plenty of on-shore activities to be announced in the coming months.

The race is now in its 177th year making it Australia’s oldest annual sporting event.