Attended by thousands of participants, the mini sailboat tournament is the main attraction at the Lovina Festival

Buleleng, Bali (National Archipelagic Wire) - The Mini Sailboat Tournament in Buleleng, Saturday, part of the 2026 Lovina Festival series, became the main attraction because it was attended by thousands of participants from various regions in Bali to Banyuwangi, East Java.

"This tournament also strengthens the position of the festival as part of the Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2026," said Assistant for Economy and Development at the Regional Secretariat of Buleleng Regency, Putu Ayu Reika Nurhaeni in Buleleng, Saturday.

He said the large number of participants showed that the mini sailboat tournament had developed into a maritime attraction that had wide appeal as well as a space for friendship for coastal communities.

"I am proud to hear that this year's tournament was attended by 1,230 participants. This is not only from Buleleng Regency, but also our brothers and sisters from outside Buleleng. This shows that this event has enormous appeal and is able to become a forum for friendship and maritime achievements in Bali," he said.

Reika emphasized that the competition does not just provide entertainment, but is also a symbol of the identity of the Buleleng coastal community which has a strong maritime tradition.

According to him, behind the mini sailboat race are the values ​​of creativity, perseverance and sportsmanship which need to continue to be preserved as part of the regional cultural heritage.

The Buleleng Regency Government, continued Reika, hopes that the tournament can continue to be developed as an annual agenda that can encourage economic growth in coastal communities while strengthening the regional tourism sector. He also invited the public to maintain the cleanliness and sustainability of the Lovina Beach area as a leading tourist destination.

Meanwhile, Head of the Buleleng Regency Agriculture, Food Security and Fisheries Service, Gede Melandrat, said that the Buleleng Regent II Mini Sailboat Tournament will be held on 25-26 July 2026 as part of the 2026 Lovina Festival agenda.

According to Melandrat, the tournament aims to revive the maritime spirit of the people of North Bali while preserving the tradition of mini sailboats which have long been part of the lives of the coastal communities of Buleleng.

He said that as many as 1,230 participants took part in this year's championship, coming from various regions in Buleleng Regency, a number of areas in Bali, as well as Banyuwangi. To increase the spirit of competition, the committee provided a total prize of IDR 35 million as well as a rotating trophy for the Regent of Buleleng.