152 professional photographers from 30 countries have submitted their best photographs for the 2026 Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award. According to the organisers, this is a record number of entrants. The seven-member international jury has selected the 80 best images from these submissions, which have been available for online voting since 20 October. Photographer Nico Krauss explains what lies behind such images with his Insights into professional sailing photography.
The audience and the jury vote independently
In the Online gallery for voting Anyone interested can view the selected entries and vote for their favourite until 14 November 2026. The photograph with the most online votes will win the Public Award.
Separately, the international jury awards the competition’s main prize. The public and the expert jury may therefore choose to recognise different entries.
The 20 best photographs will be exhibited in Amsterdam
The 20 photographs rated highest by the jury will be exhibited at Metstrade in Amsterdam from 17 to 19 November. The awards ceremony will take place on 20 November as part of the Yacht Racing Forum. Both the Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award and the Public Award will be presented there.
Last year’s winner is on the judging panel this time
The competition will take place for the 17th time in 2026. The current jury includes the Italian photographer Martina Orsini. She won last year with a photograph of Moth sailing, making her the first overall winner in the history of the photography competition. This year, she is helping to judge her colleagues’ photographs.
Which photo is your favourite, and what makes it the best sailing photo of the year in your opinion?
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
