The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image competition once again captures the excitement that is sailing from around the world

An impressive 109 photographers from 25 countries took part in last year’s Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018 competition. And while Portuguese photographer Ricarado Pinto came away with the overall prize (see In Search of the Wind), it’s no exaggeration to say that all the finalists in both the juried and “public” categories (the latter having been decided by more than 10,000 votes online) are truly winners in their ability to convey the beauty and excitement of sailing in all its forms. For more on the competition, now in its ninth year and organized by MaxComm media, visit maxcomm-media.com.

Stormy Weather

This image was taken by Alex Irwin during Lendy Cowes Week 2018 when the winds exceeded 40 knots. “It was an incredible day with some serious waves and some epic sailing conditions for those who made it out,” Alex says. “Racing was canceled for many classes.” Assent, a Contessa 32, was originally built by Jeremy Rogers in 1972. Years later, Jeremy’s son, Kit, and his partner Jessie purchased the boat and are now cruising and racing her with their family. Photo taken using a Canon 1DX with a 24-70mm Mk II lens

In Search of Wind

This photo, which took first overall in the 2018 Mirabaud competition, was taken by Ricardo Pinto during SHK Scallywag’s arrival in Lisbon at the end of Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race. The bowman, Ben Piggott, was up the mast looking for more pressure coming up the Tagus river. The crew could see AkzoNobel completely stopped just ahead. Pinto waited until the last second before the sun set and says, “The seagull and Ben completed the scene, have to thank both!” Photo taken using a Nikon D5 with a 500mm lens

Optimal Sailing

A young Optimist sailor employs her best boathandling skills in this photo by Matias Cappizzano. At the time, she was team racing in the 2018 International Optimist Regatta, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Canon 1DX with a Canon 300mm lens

An Epic Reach

This shot was taken from onboard the cutting-edge maxi CQS during the RORC Atlantic Anniversary Regatta from Lanzarote to Grenada. Out of all the content onboard media producer James Tomlinson took, he says this particular photo stood out. To achieve the effect of speed he employed a 10-stop ND filter and a long exposure in daylight, allowing a slow shutter speed that made the water appear blurred while the boat remains sharp. Photo taken using a Nikon D7200 with a 12mm lens

Stormy Weather

It was midnight and Vestas 11th Hour Racing was crossing a rough Gulf Stream when Martin Keruzore captured this shot of Phil Harmer struggling to drive downwind in the big seas. A few seconds later, Phil called everybody on deck to take a second reef as the wind increased to over 45 knots in the squall. Photo taken using a Canon 5D Mk IV with a 24mm lens

Photo Finish

This sunset photo by Cserta Gabor captures the cutting-edge catamaran Safram at the finish of the 50th Kékszalag race. Held on Hungary’s Lake Balaton, the 84-mile Kékszalag is the oldest round-the-lake competition in Europe, having been first sailed in 1934. Photo taken using a Canon 5d Mk IV with a 35mm lens

Sailing at Altitude

Loris Von Siebenthal took this gorgeous shot last spring during one of the first tests of the monofoil Gonet, a 26-footer capable of reaching speeds of 30 knots. Eric Monnin designed the boat, which was built by Damian Weiss. Photo taken using a Nikon d800 with a 24-70mm lens

Up, up and Away!

The picture was taken by Martina Orsini in Borstahusen, Sweden, last July during the Moth European Championship The smiling foiler is Franziska Maege, a passionate and skilled sailor and one of the relatively few women sailing these innovative and technically challenging boats. A true role model, she is also an ambassador for The Magenta Project, which aims to promote women in high-performance sailing. Photo taken using a Nikon D4s with a 300mm lens

January 2019