Winners revealed for photo competition

Slovenian photographer Samo Vidic is the winner of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award 2023 thanks to a photo taken during a training session onboard Alinghi Red Bull Racing in Barcelona (ESP).

“To be on board of the AC75 foiling at 40+ knots as a photographer is a privilege unlike any other,” explains Vidic. “Capturing photos at high speed and strong g-forces becomes a real challenge. On the day this photo was taken, we had strong winds and a big swell, as well as incredible speed. I tried to capture these elements in the photo with a slow shutter and convey the adrenalin feeling of that day.”

Samo Vidic was chosen as one of Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s official photographers for the 37th America’s Cup, and he immediately accepted the challenge. “Not many photographers get the chance to experience that!” he said.

French photographer Samuel Cade came second in the competition with a spectacular image of Charlie Dalin’s IMOCA Macif during the AZIMUT 2023 Challenge. “For me, this photo is really special because we can’t see the boat while,” said Cade. “At the same time, we can feel the power and imagine how difficult it is to sail an IMOCA alone in the Deep South.”

Canadian Christian Bonin came third with a photo of 29ers dinghies sailing at the ABYC Seahorse Youth Regatta, showing a fascinating contrast of colours. “The environmental conditions – high sun, heat distortion, fog, low wind – and distance from the subjects (over 300 meters) pushed the photographic equipment’s capabilities to the maximum”, he said.

Samo Vidic

Samuel Cade

Christian Bonin

The Public Award
The Public Award, based on the number of public votes online, was won by Eugenia Bakunova (RUS), ahead of Brigi Török (HUN) and Ewan Lebourdais (FRA).

Eugenia Bakunova

Brigi Török

Ewan Lebourdais

The Delegates Award
The Delegates Award, based on votes from METSTRADE’s visitors in Amsterdam, was won by Craig Greenhill (AUS) ahead of Samuel Cade (FRA) and Martina Orsini (ITA).

Craig Greenhill

Samuel Cade

Martina Orsini

A total of 144 photographers, representing 30 nationalities took part in this year’s Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award. The awards ceremony took place in public at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam on November 16.

Created in 2010, the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image is the leading photography competition dedicated to sailing as a competitive sport, honoring the most beautiful photographs taken during the year.

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.

Contest Prizes
• The winner of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award will receive € 1000 prize money
• The winner of the Delegates Award will receive € 500 prize money
• The winner of the Public Award will receive € 500 prize money

2023 International Jury
• Nicolas Mirabaud, Managing Partner, Mirabaud Bank (SUI)
• Tatiana Pokorny, Journalist, German News Agency & Yacht (GER)
• Alexandra Rickham, Head of Sustainability, World Sailing (GBR)
• Scott Dougal, Director of Communications and Digital, World Sailing (GBR)
• Nico Martinez, photographer, winner of MYRI 2022 (ESP)
• Laurène Coroller, journalist, Voiles & Voiliers (FRA)