80 finalists for Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2023
It’s that time of year when the images that define the sport of sailing are put on show to be judged by the whole community. There are two ways in which the pictures will be assessed.
Image by ANDREY SHEREMETEV taken in Sochi
The first is by a jury or “panel of experts”. They will will further narrow the field to 20 images and decide on an overall winner.
The other is by a vote of the public and is open until November 8.
I know which one of these methods I would be most proud to win! The democratic process may have its flaws, but it keeps those of us with inflated ideas of our own self importance in check. So have a little fun! Visit THE WEBSITE and vote for as many images as you want.
And to add a little spice, the competition in the past has not been without controversy!
The rules for the 14th edition required the pictures submitted to reflect the spirit of yacht racing, and “may have been taken at any time – before, during, and after competition. Photos that do not relate with racing were not to be accepted.” I’m not sure that this has been strictly enforced. Also, the contest is for professional photographers, though it is unclear what is required for that designation.
Of the eighty images in the selection, nine of them relate to CLASSIC OR WOODEN CRAFT. Click on each square to see the whole frame and read a little about the photographer and how the image was made.
This reinforces my belief that while traditional sailing craft may not be at the cutting edge of sailboat racing, they play an important role in upholding the values of authenticity and custodianship throughout the WHOLE of the panoply of sailing. If your yacht club isn’t supporting traditional craft, then they are missing out on an opportunity to align themselves with a brand that the wider public relates to.