While many in the sailing industry focus on how to get onto TV and into the news, the humble still photograph is one of sailing’s best media weapons. This was illustrated again this year at the World Yacht Racing Forum, where Mirabaud sponsored the “Yacht Racing Image of the Year”.
The best sailing photo was voted on by the public via Facebook and by delegates at the WYRF in Estoril, Portugal.
French photographer Thierry Martinez won the title for the second year running, and for the second year in a row, the winning photo featured a foiling moth. The spectacular award-winning photograph features Nathan Outridge, Moth and 49er world champion, racing the Moth world championships in Belmont, Australia in January 2011.
Thierry Martinez said:
“I am very happy to win this award again. It is the only award dedicated to our sport and I consider it a great honour. It is the reward for one photograph, which I humbly accept, but it also symbolises my passion for yacht racing and marine photography which have been at the heart of my life for 25 years.”
Antonio Palma, CEO and partner of Mirabaud, private bankers said:
“We are delighted to award this title to the photographer Thierry Martinez,” said “All of the photographs submitted to the competition were of a very high standard and the choice was a difficult one. The public chose an image that reflects the current trends – spectacular, daring and dynamic.”
Mirabaud were also part of the first panel session at the 2011 World Yacht Racing Forum, discussing the advantages that sailing has delivering ROI on sponsorship dollars. The transcript and analysis of the sponsorship panel at WYRF will be published later in the year on this site.
