Sailing Magazine
Pic by Ricardo Pinto
109 photographers representing 25 nationalities took part in the 9th edition of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image photo competition. The photos submitted, of great quality, illustrate the 2018 sailing season and highlight the extraordinary diversity of the sport, which combines both crewed round the world regattas and junior sailing, with events taking place all over the world.
The international jury decided to honour Portuguese photographer Ricardo Pinto (POR) and his image taken during the Volvo Ocean Race. Based in Lisbon, Pinto has been working as a sailing photographer for many years. “It’s a privilege to be able to follow some of the best sailing events in the world and witness such amazing moments. My goal is to be able to share that with everyone, as if they were right there next to me,” he said. “The Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image contest brings together some of the best sailing photographers in the world and their unique work. I’m honoured to have been among them for the last years and that my photo has been awarded with the main prize by such an amazing panel of specialists.”
Ricardo Pinto’s photo was celebrated in the presence of the world’s sailing elite who gathered at the Yacht Racing Forum in Lorient, France. The photographer, who is currently working in Africa, succeeds German photographer Sören Hese. He won in front of two French photographers: Martin Keruzoré and Pierre Bouras. The best nation this year is France, with seven photos in the top 20, followed by Australia and Russia.
“I liked this image at first sight, and it deserves to win,” says Jesus Renedo, a world-renowned professional photographer and member of the international jury. “For us photographers, the most difficult thing is not to take a picture, but everything that leads to it. In Ricardo’s case, I can only imagine that he had to convince the following boat driver and other passengers to get away from Scallywag when she arrived in Lisbon, in order to capture the boat’s dark silhouette in the last rays of the sun, while still identifying her. It is definitely a winning image, taken by a great photographer.”
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018 – Top 10
1. Ricardo Pinto (POR)
2. Martin Keruzoré (FRA)
3. Pierre Bouras (FRA)
4. Michael Chittenden (NZL)
5. Jöran Bubke (GER)
6. Benjamin Sans (CHL)
7. Yann Riou (FRA)
8. Yvan Zedda (FRA)
9. Eloi Stichelbaut (FRA)
10. Andrea Francolini (AUS)
