Festival of Sails dates revealed

THE 2023 Festival of Sails dates have been announced by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, with sailors set to be welcomed back to Corio Bay in January.

From January 26-29, sailing enthusiasts will return to Geelong for the four-day event, with world-class racing on show.

“After two years of pandemic-induced restrictions, we also look forward to a return to a comprehensive and exciting program of activities along the Geelong waterfront,” the club said.

The club will also celebrate the 180th anniversary of the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race on January 26, and anticipates a record number of boats will join in the milestone.

The race was won in 2022 by Geelong yacht Extasea, skippered by Paul Bucholz.

The 2022 event boasted two champion series – the Melges 24 National Championship and the Double Handed Victoria Championship – as well as about a dozen other class series for boats of almost every shape and size.

The 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.