The most stunning moments of sailing around the world in 2021

Initiated in 2010, the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image is the leading international photo competition dedicated to sailing as a competitive sport allows professional photographers to share their passion with as many people as possible.

After a special edition in 2020, when the competition changed its format to adapt to the pandemic, rewarding the best photo taken since the beginning of the century. As sailing competitions are starting to take place again around the world, the format of the competition returns to normal and celebrates the best sailing photos of the year 2021( Photos that have been taken between 7 October 2020 and 7 September 2021).

An international jury was nominated to shortlist the 80 best images submitted by photographers from around the world. The top 20 decided by the jury won the awards. The public were also able to vote to determine the winner of the Public Award. Though the final choices were a little bit different between the Jury Awards and the Public Awards,the richness of sailing photography and the wide range of emotions those works evoke have brought lost of enjoyment to us. Let’s take a look at part of the shortlisted images:

 “This photo was chosen by me because it has passion, the power of nature, the power of the sun, there is so much light in it, these are magic lanterns on the water. This is a unique moment that I was lucky enough to catch. Thanks to the sun for that!”

“Really nice conditions during all event, nice waves and wind reaching 20 knots. On this day that this photo was taken there were 1-1,5m waves and no clouds on sky that made me play with the water sun and waves. Sometimes I like to make moody, dark shots and this is one of them.”

 “ During the Ocean Race Europe I was onboard the Austrian Team as an OBR, racing with a really young team. It was a fast and windy start on Leg 2 from Cascais to Alicante and also quite wet. Here Michiel Goegebeur is looking outside after he had a nap during his off watch.”

 “Prominent Foredeck Union (FU) member, Lisa Yuen, with a strong solo spinnaker takedown, onboard J105 LauraBea, on day two of the Cedar Point Yacht Club One Design Regatta. Westport, Connecticut, USA.”

“ In view of the super calm conditions I found it funny that the reflection of the sails gives the impression that they are torn or in flames !”

 “This shot brings together all the power, speed, dynamics, and beauty of sailing. This is what I call the Art of Sailing!”

 “ It was not easy to choose this photo among the others. I chose this shot because I think it manages to communicate the true link between water and sailing. This is what I love to convey with my photos."

 “ Metamorphosis. When the sails become clouds.”

“ That day was very windy on the harbour with a lot of cloud cover. As Daniel tacked onto the lay line to the top mark a small opening in the clouds appeared and a very brief moment of sunlight hit the skiff. I’m always interested in catching how the crew work the skiff and at this moment the Bowman is seen trimming the jib.”

 “Pictured is a spring Optimist training camp at Lake Balaton, in Balatonföldvár. The water was 14 Celsius and the little ones were training in winds over 20 knots. The picture summarizes all the goals of sailing and why we love this sport.  ”

"505 crew are training before regattas next to Gorki Zachodnie harbor (Gdansk, Poland). Huge cargo ships pass each other on a course between Gdansk and Stockholm route."

 “The shot was taken during the international dragon regatta in Sept. 2021 in Berlin. The event was dominated by very low wind speeds and on the down wind course I decided to concentrate more on the abstract rendering of the spinnaker sails in the water reflections since there was hardly any action to shoot in the race. Getting timing right was important for the sun star rendering - I wanted the sun to be slightly covered by the sail for a sharper star-rendering but at the same time I wanted the foreground reflection to be as wild as possible.”

 “ This shot was taken on the first day of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup close to the "Isolotti Monaci" that make the foreground to the picture. While I was taking the shot I was drawn by the symmetry created by the rocks and the three Maxi 72s but then noticed those two feathery spectators dazzled in admiration of those beautiful boats...what were they discussing about?”

 “Photograph taken during an aerial shoot over the Breton coast during the summer. It is 12 o'clock and in the sailing schools, the optimist lessons are coming to an end.”

“ It was the last day to choose a picture for the contest, and I thought that this session with 25 knots at least could be very impressive with this boat. I was waiting for the good wave and she arrived. I would like to have it in portrait to make a good poster and I think it'll be a good poster. I begin to work with Ian and Julien in mini 6.50 a long time ago and I'm happy to propose a picture of them. I very like the powerfull of the picture and the light just after the violent squall.”

“Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75, Te Rehutai sails across the Auckland Skyline.”

It's not easy to choose one shoot in all pictures of your year work.But when you work in Polynesia it's easy to spend time in water and trying above and below shooting. I like the way this wave is crossing the picture letting us discover the crew working hard to cross the top mark.

 “Sailing a catamaran is not easy. In order to obtain a good speed, the boat should be led perfectly horizontally. This sailor did it perfectly, as if sailing with a spirit level.”

Which are your favorites? Your are welcome to share your ideas and your best sailing moment in the comments.