Festival of Sails 2013 dates announced

by Rodney Hagebols on 5 Jul 2012 Festival of Sails 2013 is to be held from Thursday 24th January to Monday 28th January 2013. The Australia Day long weekend in January 2013, will see the 169th anniversary of the Festival of Sails Regatta.

Whilst the name may have changed many times in the 169 years of continual running, the planning of Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s annual Australia Day Regatta, the Festival of Sails, is well underway for 2013. So make sure you mark ‘Geelong Week’ in your calendar early, for you and your family.

Australia’s premier keelboat racing regatta will again take place in Geelong with the continued support of the State Government of Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong, as well as many loyal sponsors and the Regatta and Festival participants.

The Traditional regatta elements will start with Measurement Class Racing on Thursday 24th and follows on with the historic 34nm Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race, which will be held on Friday 25th January 2013. With upwards of 300 competing yachts this truly unique race has nearly three times as many starters as the Sydney to Hobart. The sheltered waters of Port Phillip and Corio Bay enable the spectator fleet to follow the race participants all the way to Geelong and then join them as a part of the festival action.

The regatta consistently attracts the highest calibre of boats from overseas and all around Australia, to Victoria to compete in this historic event. With over 15 different race series catering to sports boats and trailable cruisers up to the highest performance Grand Prix racers, the varied race action is sure to offer something for everyone. Festival of Sails website