Kurt Arrigo wins Yacht Racing Image of the Year

Maltese's finest gets the Mirabaud & Cie prize this year

Forty-six yacht racing photographers from all over the world submitted the photograph of their choice for the Yacht Racing Image of the Year, presented by Mirabaud & Cie, Private Bankers.

The dedicated website has been visited by 90,342 individual visitors, and there have been 1 mio 573,967 page views in just one month.

“This picture has been taken during the Volcano Race 2012”, said photographer Kurt Arrigo soon after being awarded. “The weather had been bad all day, but the sun suddenly came out for a short while. We were leaving the area but I asked the pilot of the helicopter to fly back briefly over the leading boat; that’s when I took this photograph. I am absolutely thrilled to receive such a prestigious award. It is a great honour for me.”

The final choice was made by five members of the Jury. Shirley Robertson,double Olympic Gold medallist, said that “the quality of this years’ finalists really is extraordinarily high; each photograph tells a story of an exceptional year in our sport. I loved them all”.

According to Christian Février, a legend of yacht racing photography: “the reflection at twilights in the hull was interesting. But the importance of the crew creates a second point of interest. It's a great shot, that would have been impossible to do 20 years ago with the films of very low speed we used then.”

Will Morris, CEO, Informa, said that "the competition was inspiring; as much to the readers as hopefully to all of the professional and amateur yacht racing photographers seeking out that unique, one of a kind shot. The quality of the photographs selected was quite amazing, and each photograph suggests the story of struggle and competition, and also gives the reader a thought provoking image of what it must have taken for the photographer to position himself to get that shot.”

Antonio Palma, CEO, Mirabaud, chose to vote for Kurt Arrigo’s photo because “the colours are absolutely superb and it shows the sort of magical moments any sailor can experience on board a sailing boat, either as sailor or guest. The beauty of the sunset is suggested; it must have been wonderful.”

Finally, Ben Ainslie, quadruple Olympic Gold medallist, said that “the five photographs shortlisted are exceptional. They pay a great tribute to the variety and richness of the sport of sailing.”

Yacht Racing Image of the Year 2012 – the five finalists:

1) Kurt Arrigo, winner of the Yacht Racing Image of the Year 2012
2) Ian Roman
3) Thierry Martinez
4) Tom Gruitt
5) Matias Capizzano