Samo Vidic wins Yacht Racing Image Award, again

November 21, 2024 – Slovenian photographer Samo Vidic is the winner of the Yacht Racing Image award 2024 for the second consecutive year thanks to a photo taken during SailGP Bermuda.

Vidic has claimed victory in the 14th edition of the international photo competition devoted to the sport of sailing. With over 20 years of experience as a sports photographer, Vidic has cultivated a deep passion for sailing, capturing images from events like the Extreme Sailing Series and the GC32 class. He triumphed over fellow finalists Ilia Byzov and Georgy Akimov to secure the top prize.

“Winning for the second time in a row is definitely a surprise for me,” said Samo. “I knew the photo I submitted was strong, but with other high-profile events this year like the America’s Cup, the Olympic Games and more, my hopes weren’t especially high. I feel truly honored and proud. This victory is a reaffirmation to myself that I’m doing something good and right.”

Same Vidic’s photo was taken in the Bahamas during the SailGP practice session. “I was lucky to have my friend Jason with me as my boat driver; he also helped as a spotter. I was just about to change my camera and lens when he suddenly shouted, “Team US is going to capsize!” I quickly turned around and snapped a few frames.”

The five members of the international jury voted considering three criteria including the emotion evoked by the image, its technical difficulty, and its originality.

“I was incredibly impressed by the diversity of entries,” shared Patricia Becker, Exhibition Manager at METSTRADE and member of the international jury. “The photographs showcased not only the beauty and power of yachts, but also the dynamic energy of competition and the joy of being on the water. Browsing the gallery was a fantastic journey through the world of yacht racing.”

Also a member of the jury, sailing journalist Andy Rice said, “The images submitted ranged hugely in quality and subject matter, demonstrating the enormous diversity in the sport of sailing in all its forms. There were many that would have been justified winners for different reasons. But certainly Samo Vidic is among them and a well-deserving recipient of the big prize for his high-action photo of SailGP.”

Carlos Pitch added, “The winning photo is a good example of photojournalism, capable of capturing a rare and striking moment, which requires being in the right place ready to take a photo. It is a timely image, because a situation like this is rarely repeated.”

James Tomlinson, ahead of Brigi Török and Tom Coehoorn, won the Public Award, based on the number of public votes online.

Michael Kurtz, ahead of Eloi Stichelbaut and Daniel Forster, won the Delegates Award, based on votes from METSTRADE’s visitors in Amsterdam.

More than 130 photographers, representing 31 nationalities took part in this year’s Yacht Racing Image Award. The awards ceremony took place during the Yacht Racing Forum, alongside METSTRADE show in Amsterdam, attended by numerous marine photographers, journalists and members of the yacht racing industry.

Created in 2010, the Yacht Racing Image is the leading photography competition dedicated to sailing as a competitive sport, honoring the most beautiful photographs taken during the year.

Yacht Racing Image Award
1. Samo Vidic
2. Ilia Byzov
3. Georgy Akimov

Public Award
1. James Tomlinson
2. Brigi Török
3. Tom Coehoorn

Delegates Award
1. Michael Kurtz
2. Eloi Stichelbaut
3. Daniel Forster

The international jury was comprised of Carlos Pich (ESP), journalist; Patricia Becker (NED), project manager at METSTRADE; Andy Rice (UK), sailing journalist and commentator; Soco Nunez de Cela (ESP), chair of The Magenta Project; and Shirley Robertson (UK), double Olympic champion and journalist.

Contest rules:
The contest is open to professional photographers who can confirm and prove that they have regularly published pictures and been paid for their work. The subject of the contest is boat racing in all its forms, from classic yachts to top-end racers, including multihulls, dinghies, foilers, windsurf and kitesurfing. The pictures submitted must reflect the spirit of yacht racing, and may have been taken at any time: before, during, or after regattas.

Complete rules: https://www.yachtracingimage.com/contest/rules.html

Top 20 photos for 2024:

Top 20 photographers (alphabetical order)
• Georgy Akimov
• Deea Buzdugan
• Ilia Byzov
• Alex Carabí
• Jack Fletcher
• Daniel Forster
• Ugo Fonollá Simó
• Pascal Huit
• Henriette Kekesi
• Louis Kruk
• Michael Kurtz
• David Lebrun
• Jean-Marie Liot
• Maria Lopez Muiña
• Jason Ludlow
• Nico Martinez
• Andrey Sheremetev
• Eloi Stichelbaut
• Samo Vidic
• Lorin Von Siebenthal