The annual award for the best yacht racing photograph was presented to French photographer Thierry Martinez today at the World Yacht Racing Forum, the annual meeting place for yachting professionals, held in Estoril, Portugal from 13 to 14 December.

Yacht Racing Image of the Year 2011 by Thierry Martinez - Copyright Thierry Martinez

Forty photographers competed for the title of “Yacht Racing Image of the Year, presented by Mirabaud”, among them some of the best yachting photographers in the world. The images were viewed by over 25,000 people over a period of two weeks and judged by 2,500 who cast their vote via the World Yacht Racing Forum website and the event’s Facebook page. World Yacht Racing Forum guests also voted and the decision was unanimous.

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 has been photographing yachts since 1987 and has covered almost every sailing discipline over the years from dinghies to the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup. This is the second year running that the 56 year old has won the award.

“I am very happy to win this award again,” he said. “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.”

“We are delighted to award this title to the photographer Thierry Martinez,” said Antonio Palma, CEO and partner of Mirabaud, private bankers. “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.”

“Yacht Racing Image of the Year, presented by Mirabaud” results:

Thierry Martinez

Carlo Borlenghi

Daniel Forster