Since 2010, the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image photo competition has been rewarding the most beautiful sailing race photos taken by professional photographers. For this 2016 edition, 149 sea photographers from 25 countries entered the competition
The jury met on November 29th to choose the winner, who is none other than Jean-Marie Liot, who took a superb picture of Safran. This photo of Morgan Lagravière's IMOCA, entirely covered with water, was taken during a training session prior to the Vendée Globe.
"When I took this picture, I immediately knew I would send it to Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image. The conditions were perfect and Morgan was pushing hard. I am very happy to win this competition, as it brings together the best sailing photographers and the jury is made up of professionals from the racing yacht industry. It's a real success." exclaimed the photographer.
Based in Vannes, Brittany, Jean-Marie Liot has been working as a professional photographer since 1994. His missions allow him to travel around the world, working for many skippers, sponsors and races and collaborating with the biggest racing magazines.
The other winners
Delegates from the Yacht Racing Forum and the World Sailing Annual Conference chose Spanish Nico Martinez to win the Yacht Racing Forum Award. Frenchman Christophe Huchet wins the public prize, based on Facebook votes. The 80 best images can be viewed on the website.
The conditions for taking the photo
"This photo was taken from a helicopter, the only way to follow these boats in windy conditions, piloted by Thierry Leygnac, used to this kind of shooting. After 15 minutes of flight, we arrive at the meeting point between Groix and Belle-Ile. Morgan Lagravière, skipper of Safran, is launching her boat at full speed in a 20 to 25 knot wind. The sun is reflected on the silvery tones of the hull. Safran flies over the waves thanks to its foils. The boat goes from wave to wave two reefs in the mainsail and small gennaker. It literally seems to fly over the water with disconcerting ease. We passed downwind and a stronger wave than the others completely covered the deck of Safran. I decided to zoom in on the cockpit, the rear part of the boat, always at full speed. The wave is so large that you can no longer see the cockpit or even the helmsman. The water on the top of the blue roof gives the impression of a bubbling pool. The yellow tip of the foil completes the colour palette" explains Jean-Marie Liot.
"This photo illustrates very well the image bank we have made for the Vendée Globe. The boat spent its time underwater. It was during this shooting that we reached the highest speed with 34 knots. So it's a symbolic picture. I am very happy for Safran and for Jean-Marie, that his talent has been rewarded" morgan Lagravière explains.
