Entry Guide
Welcome to the 2027 Festival of Sails. Whether you’re returning to Geelong or joining us for the first time, this guide will help you navigate the entry process and prepare for race week.
Important Entry Dates
- 15 July 2026 – Entries open
- 3 January 2027 – Standard entries close
- 10 January 2027 – Late entries (including late fee) close
Enter Now
Ready to join the 2027 Festival of Sails?
Entries open 15 July 2026 and are completed through the TopYacht Entry System.
Before submitting your entry, please ensure you have read the Notice of Race and understand the eligibility, safety and entry requirements for your selected series.
Enter Festival of Sails 2027
Notice of Race
The 2027 Festival of Sails Notice of Race is now available and should be your first reference before entering. It contains important information about eligibility requirements, race schedules, safety requirements, scoring information and entry conditions.
Please read the Notice of Race carefully before submitting your entry.
View the Notice of Race
Things to Know
Entries are managed through the TopYacht Entry System.
If you have entered a regatta through TopYacht previously, you will already have a Sailor Profile and can log in using your existing username and password.
If you have not used TopYacht before, you will need to:
- Create a Sailor Profile.
- Add your boat to your profile.
- Ensure your boat details are up to date before beginning your entry.
If you have trouble signing in, please try the password reset option before contacting the Royal Geelong Yacht Club Sailing Office. If the issue relates to your TopYacht account, you may need to contact TopYacht Support directly.
Series Schedules
Different series will follow different schedules in 2027. Please ensure you read the Notice of Race carefully to understand the program for your selected series.
Australian Yachting Championship
The Australian Yachting Championship, scored solely on IRC, will be contested over five days.
- Day 1: Racing hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club.
- Day 2: Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race.
- Days 3-5: Racing hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
Australian Sports Boat Association National Championship
The Australian Sports Boat Association National Championship will be sailed entirely in Geelong over four days, from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 January 2027.
All Other Series
All other Festival of Sails series will follow their normal two or three-day programs, beginning with the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race on Saturday 23 January 2027 and concluding on either Sunday 24 or Monday 25 January 2027, depending on the series.
For competitors not racing on Tuesday, a fleet start will be facilitated for the return sail from Geelong, providing the opportunity to rally home along the bay in friendly competition or enjoy a relaxed cruise home in company.
Self-Nominated Trophies
Some trophies require competitors to nominate during the entry process.
These include:
- Women’s Trophy
- Youth Trophy
- Eligible Class Trophies
You do not need to nominate for these trophies when you first submit your entry. However, you must ensure the relevant box is selected before entries close.
How to Enter
1. Log in to TopYacht
If you have entered through TopYacht previously, use your existing Sailor Profile login details.
If you are entering for the first time, create a new Sailor Profile and add your boat before beginning your entry.
2. Update Your Boat Profile
Ensure your boat profile is accurate and up to date before submitting your entry.
Keeping your boat details current assists with division allocation and helps the Sailing Office manage your entry efficiently.
3. Submit Your Entry
Complete your entry as early as possible, including:
- Boat details
- Primary contact information
- Secondary contact information
4. Complete Your Entry Before the Deadline
Once your entry has been submitted, complete all remaining requirements before entries close. This includes:
- Final crew list, including Australian Sailing numbers and emergency contact details.
- Applicable AMS, ORC and IRC certificates.
- High-quality boat photo.
- Payment of all applicable entry fees.
We encourage skippers to upload a high-quality boat photo and share a little about their crew and sailing story in TopYacht, helping us celebrate competitors and share fleet stories ahead of Festival of Sails.
Safety Requirements
All competitors must meet the eligibility and safety requirements outlined in the Notice of Race.
This includes completion of the required Equipment Audit by an accredited Australian Sailing Equipment Auditor.
Further safety information and reminders will be published closer to the event.
Need Help?
If you need assistance with your Festival of Sails entry, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club Sailing Office is here to help.
Before contacting us, please ensure you have:
- Checked the Notice of Race.
- Reviewed the TopYacht entry requirements.
- Tried the password reset option if you are having login issues.
For TopYacht account issues that cannot be resolved by the Sailing Office, you may need to contact TopYacht Support directly.
Royal Geelong Yacht Club Sailing Office:
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