Sailboat Race returns after years of hiatus at Lovina Festival

A total of 34 sailboats participated for the Sailboat Race on July 26, 2025, one of the main activities at Lovina Festival 2025 in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province.

Lovina Festival 2025 is included as part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2025 calendar of cultural festivals, this year's edition of the Tourism Ministry's flagship program.

The event was officially opened by Buleleng Regent I Nyoman Sutjidra alongside fellow members Buleleng Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) at Kerobokan Beach in Sawan District, Buleleng Regency.

The race covered a distance of about 16 kilometers, starting at Kerobokan Beach and ending at Binaria Beach in the Lovina tourist area. The route was designed by a panel of judges by considering wind direction and the safety of the participants.

In his remarks, Regent Sutjidra expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the festival's organizing committee and all involved parties forenabling the resumption of the sailboat race after several years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is not just a competition, but also a moment to revive the maritime spirit that has long been the identity and strength of our coastal communities," he said.

Meanwhile, Buleleng Regency Food Security and Fisheries Office Head I Gede Putra Aryana, explained that the competition also aims to foster togetherness, improve fishermen's skills, and support the marine tourism sector in Buleleng.

The judging criteria for the Sailboat Rice not only included speed to reach the finish line, but also discipline while following the course, crew skills, and having the lowest number of violations on rules of the race.

Those who reached the podium all received trophies and gas stoves, and teams placing at least sixth were rewarded with certificates.

In terms of prize money, the winners was awarded with Rp5 million, while the runners-up received Rp4 million and the third-place team got Rp3.5 million Meanwhile, the fourth- to sixth-placed teams received Rp 2.5 million, Rp 2 million, and Rp 1.5 million, respectively.

All participants were granted staple food packages as part of the organizing committee's attention on socio-economic issues and as part of their efforts to promote food security. The committee also provided door prizes for participants who placed lower than sixth.