Photo competition: Pantaenius is the new partner for the Yacht Racing Image Award
Once known in the sailing world as the Mirabaud photo competition, the most prestigious contest for international sailing photographers is now heading for the future under a new name. This year, the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award will celebrate and honour photographic artists from very different regatta worlds. The aim of the competition remains to honour the best images taken over the course of a year and to celebrate their creators.
Yacht Racing Image Award: Pantaenius on board
"We are delighted to support the prestigious Yacht Racing Image Award as the main sponsor," said Anna Schroeder, Head of Marketing at Pantaenius Yacht Insurance. "The powerful, emotional images captured in this competition reflect the essence of sailing and not only inspire ambitious race crews dreaming of their next day on the water, but also captivate recreational sailors with their energy and beauty. This event inspires - and is a perfect fit for Pantaenius."
The 16th edition of the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award is officially open. Yacht racing photographers from all over the world are invited to submit their best image taken since 14 October 2024. The closing date for entries is 12 October this year.
The best images, selected by the international jury of the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Awards, will be exhibited at the Metstrade in Amsterdam from 18 to 20 November, while the award ceremony will be celebrated on 21 November at the Yacht Racing Forum in Amsterdam in front of leading figures from the sport from around the world. Click here for the announcement and rules of the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award.
A passion for the beauty of sport
"We are delighted to welcome Pantaenius as our main partner," said Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the event. "With over 50 years of commitment to sailing and yacht racing, Pantaenius shares our passion for the beauty and exceptional visual impact of the sport. This partnership will not only increase the visibility of the event, but also provide more opportunities and exposure for yacht racing photographers."
The competition is open to professional sailing photographers from all over the world. The aim is to honour their work, offer them a promotional platform and bring the sport of sailing closer to a wider audience. A nice side effect: the impressions regularly emphasise the incredible diversity of sailing. In 2023, Samo Vidic won the Yacht Racing Image Award with a thrilling training session from Alinghi Rad Bull Racing. Last year, the Slovenian won again - with a spectacular capsize motif from the SailGP.
Around 150 photographers take part in the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award every year, including around a dozen well-known German photojournalists and artists such as Felix Diemer, who is active in the SailGP or provides powerful images of the German Sailing Team's Olympic sailors, or Sören Hese, who usually focuses on the classics. He won the 2017 professional photo competition with an unusual drone shot of a German championship in the 505.
German photographers on the podium
When Spanish photographer Nico Martinez won the competition in 2022, two German photographers were also among the podium finishers: Bremen-based photographer Eike Schurr, known primarily for his drone shots, came second with an exciting shot on board the VO65 "Sisi" and also took second place in the "Delegate's Award". Felix Diemer came third in the audience award with a shot of the SailGP in Cadiz during his first outing in the Formula 1 of sailing.
With a total of five wins since 2010, French photographers have won the prize the most times so far. Spain and Slovenia follow with two wins each. Photographers from the USA, Greece, Portugal, Malta, Switzerland and Germany have each won once.
