Best photos honored at 2019 competition

Swiss photographer Loris von Siebenthal was selected as the winner of the 2019 Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image photo competition, topping a field of 133 photographers representing 29 nationalities.

The 10th edition of the event highlighted 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.

Based in Geneva, von Siebenthal has been working as a sailing and advertising photographer since 2001. He is regularly involved in major international events, top level classes and teams. The winning image was taken during the Bol d’Or Mirabaud.

“The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award is the absolute reference for sailing photographers from all over the world, and it is a great honour to receive this prize from such a panel of professionals,” he said.

“When we are on the water, our job is to anticipate visually challenging situations. Sometimes the weather conditions offer us this extra intensity. The few seconds before the passage of this stormy front on June 15 were one of those moments of grace that we are looking for over the years.”

After the international jury narrowed the submissions to the top 20 images, the final review honored Von Siebenthal ahead of Sharon Green (USA) and Ian Roman (GBR). The leading nation again is France once again, with four photographers in the top 20, followed by Italy, and the United Kingdom.

First – Loris von Siebenthal (SUI)

Second – Sharon Green (USA)

Third – Ian Roman (GBR)

“Mother nature allows us to witness unique moments,” noted Ricardo Pinto of the 2019 International jury. “This photo captures the huge storm that hit the prestigious Bol d’Or Mirabaud this summer, with a D35 catamaran struggling to survive winds over 60 knots. Those are very special days in a photographers’ life, when you just need to hold on and literally go through the storm to get the shot you want. Well done Loris!”

The top 20 images were also scrutinized by the delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum which selected Martina Orsini (ITA) to win the Yacht Racing Forum award. After the top 80 photos were selected, they were advanced to an online public vote with Tom Coehoorn (NED) winning the Public Award.

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2019 – Top 10
1. Loris von Siebenthal (SUI)
2. Sharon Green (USA)
3. Ian Roman (GBR)
4. Martina Orsini (ITA)
5. Sam Kurtul (GBR)
6. Bo Wang (CHN)
7. Robert Hajduk (POL)
8. Eike Schurr (GER)
9. Graham Snook (GBR)
10. Matias Capizzano (ARG)

Yacht Racing Forum award – Top 5
1. Martina Orsini (ITA)
2. Fabio Taccola (ITA)
3. Loris von Siebenthal (SUI)
4. Sharon Green (USA)
5. Matias Capizzano (ARG)

Public Award – Top 5
1. Tom Coehoorn (NED)
2. Brigi Török (HUN)
3. Matias Capizzano (ARG)
4. Martina Orsini (ITA)
5. Graham Snook (GBR)

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2019 international Jury
• Ricardo Pinto, professional sailing photographer and winner of the previous edition
• Rob Hodgetts, international sports journalist for CNN
• Cliff Webb, president of the Yachting Journalists’ Association
• Magda Makowska, professional sailor and organizer of the Sopot Match Race
• Helena de la Gandara, renowned press officer in Spain and beyond
• Nicolas Mirabaud, Managing Partner and member of the Executive Committee of Mirabaud & Cie SA

Source: MAXCOMM COMMUNICATION