Winners Announced for Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award 2015

Geneva, SUI (December 8, 2015) – One hundred thirty-five professional photographers spanning twenty-nine nations submitted a picture for the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2015. After final judging, Greek photographer Nikos Zagas (GRE) won the main award whilst Rick Tomlinson (UK) won the prize of the public. A special mention was awarded to Brian Carlin (IRL). The top 80 pictures can be viewed here.

Based in Piraeus, next to Athens, Nikos Zagas has always had an interest in sports and especially water sports. He opened his own photography studio in 1992 and began sailing in 1996. He is now the official photographer of the biggest and most important regattas in Greece.

© Nikos Zagas

“I am very honored to win this prize, above all with so many professionals and experienced photographers in this contest,” said Zagas. “I feel fantastic, this prize is a big recognition for my work. The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image is the most important sailing photography contest.” Nikos Zagas won the prestigious Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award, a stunning watch Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 and €1000 prize money.

Rick Tomlinson won the Public Award, awarded by the delegates from the Yacht Racing Forum in Geneva out of the twenty pictures pre-selected by the public on Internet, thanks to his picture of Team Brunel sailing past Cape Horn.

© Rick Tomlinson

“This picture wasn’t taken by chance, it was a big work thanks to the Volvo Ocean Race team, my colleagues that came with me to the Cape Horn and Team SCA,” says Rick with a lot of emotion. He also received a €1000 prize money and a Nespresso Coffee Machine.

A special mention was awarded to Brian Carlin for his extraordinary picture of Team Vestas Wind grounded on a coral reef during the Volvo Ocean Race. Richard Gladwell, Editor at SailWorld.com, said that “looking at the totality of what he did in terms of onboard media – video, commentary and still photography – it was an amazing effort and he achieved the rare distinction of having sailing video crack through into the mainstream news stories. It was a superlative effort and deserves special recognition in the wider context of sailing media.”

© Brian Carlin

America’s Cup and Whitbread race veteran Dawn Riley, also a member of the Jury, paid tribute to all the photographers involved in the contest: “It was hugely difficult to make the choice between the photos with their quality and diversity.”

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2015 – Jury Award – Top ten:
Nikos Zagas (GRE)
Christophe Breschi (FRA)
Gilles Martin-Raget (FRA)
Rick Tomlinson (GBR)
Brian Carlin (IRL)
Ingrid Abery (GBR)
Robert Hajduk
Laurens Morel
Nico Martinez
Marek Wilczek

Public award – top ten:
Rick Tomlinson
Brian Carlin
Stephan Coppers
Martina Orsini
Jesus Renedo
Marcos Méndez
Jacques Vapillon
Gilles Martin-Raget
Nikos Zagas
Laurens Morel

Special mention: Brian Carlin (IRL)

The Jury of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2015:
Dawn Riley (Executive Director, Oakcliff Sailing Center and former America’s Cup and Whitbread race skipper, USA)
Antonio Palma (CEO, Mirabaud & Cie SA, SUI)
Richard Gladwell (NZ and America’s Cup Editor, Sail-World.com, NZL)
Vincent Steinmann (Marketing and communication Director, Zenith Watches, SUI)
Alfred Farré (Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award winner 2014, ESP)

Started in 2010, the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award is the world’s premier photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing, celebrating the very best yacht racing image taken during the year, and which best represents the essence and excitement of the sport.

Two prizes will be awarded:
♦ The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image (main prize), awarded by an independent international jury that includes, Dawn Riley (America’s Cup and Whitbread Round the World Race veteran, from America), Antonio Palma (CEO, Mirabaud & Cie SA, from Switzerland), Richard Gladwell (journalist, Sail-World.com, from New Zealand), Vincent Steinmann (Director of Marketing and Communication, Zenith Watches, from Switzerland) and Alfred Farré (winner of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2014, from Spain).

♦ The Audience Prize, awarded based on the online public vote (voting open until December 1) and the delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum.

Contest website: www.yachtracingimage.com/gallery/contest-2015