Photographer members of the Yachting Journalists’ Association figured highly in an international racing image competition at the Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao, Spain
In total, 133 photographers spanning 29 countries participated in the tenth edition of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image photo competition, and Swiss photographer Loris von Siebenthal has become the winner of the competition 2019. Photos submitted illustrate this year’s sailing season and highlight the extraordinary diversity of the sport, which combines crewed round the world regattas, junior sailing, Olympic events or in-port regattas, with events spread all over the world.
The international jury included Cliff Webb, Chairman of the Yachting Journalists’ Association.
Featuring strongly among the top 20 images were those taken by YJA members Ian Roman, whose entry was ranked third, and Sam Kurtul, whose entry was ranked fifth. Also in the top 20 was junior member James Tomlinson, 2018 holder of the YJA’s Young Blogger award.
Also featuring in this year’ competition, photographs from members Ingrid Abery, Rick Tomlinson and Robert Deaves.
Ian Roman’s entry
The SailGP Cowes event was disrupted by bad weather and had been reduced to one day of racing. I had been hired by Team USA. The boats had screamed off the start line and bore off around the first mark I watched with horror as the guys slowly capsized just seconds after the start of the race.
Sam Kurtul’s entry
In extreme conditions at the European debut of SailGP, The Australian SailGP Team dominated the field in Cowes, winning all three races on the first and only day of racing. This image was taken in mid-Solent where the Australians consistently outperformed the competition and became the first team to brake the fifty knot speed barrier during racing. I selected this image as it demonstrates the power of the foiling F50 and the superb handling skills of the Australian SailGP Team. (The boat house that can be seen in the background is the entrance to Beaulieu River in Hampshire).
