As many as 120 photographers entered the Mirabaud Yacht Racing image award for 2014, hoping to win a prestigious competition open to professional photographers from all over the world. Entries such as this one, which captures competitors at the World Cup Windsurfing event in Finistere in France, were in with a chance of taking home the prize.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
As many as 120 photographers entered the Mirabaud Yacht Racing image award for 2014, hoping to win a prestigious competition open to professional photographers from all over the world. Entries such as this one, which captures competitors at the World Cup Windsurfing event in Finistere in France, were in with a chance of taking home the prize.
Credit: Guillaume Grange
And the winner of the "Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2014" -- decided by an international jury -- was this stunning work by Alfred Farre. He captured Mariquita, an entrant in the vintage section at the VII Puig Vela Classic in Barcelona, at the precise moment it crashed through a large wave.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
And the winner of the "Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2014" -- decided by an international jury -- was this stunning work by Alfred Farre. He captured Mariquita, an entrant in the vintage section at the VII Puig Vela Classic in Barcelona, at the precise moment it crashed through a large wave.
Credit: Alfred Fare
And the winner of the prize voted for by the public online was this stunning double visual effect captured by the lens of Charles Marion. Is it a bird? No, it's the sails of a competitor in the Voiles de Saint Tropez as they are reflected in the midday sun.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
And the winner of the prize voted for by the public online was this stunning double visual effect captured by the lens of Charles Marion. Is it a bird? No, it's the sails of a competitor in the Voiles de Saint Tropez as they are reflected in the midday sun.
Credit: Charles Marion
As many as 140,000 people have visited the website and the top 20 pictures -- chosen by the public -- were printed for exhibition at the World Yacht Racing Forum. Here, a vessel is captured in the twilight at the SNIM Regatta between Cassis and the Old Port off Marseille.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
As many as 140,000 people have visited the website and the top 20 pictures -- chosen by the public -- were printed for exhibition at the World Yacht Racing Forum. Here, a vessel is captured in the twilight at the SNIM Regatta between Cassis and the Old Port off Marseille.
Credit: Antoine Beysens
Racing at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez provided a number of the shortlisted entrants with stunning images.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Racing at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez provided a number of the shortlisted entrants with stunning images.
Credit: Bertrand Duquenne
In very rough seas at the Voiles de Saint Tropez, this on-board shot left the photographer wet but delighted with the result.<br />
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
In very rough seas at the Voiles de Saint Tropez, this on-board shot left the photographer wet but delighted with the result.
Credit: Erik Brin
The six-meter Chryssopigi won her class at the Cyclades Classic Yacht Race in the Aegean Sea. The boat is built in wood and based on a traditional Greek fishing vessel.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
The six-meter Chryssopigi won her class at the Cyclades Classic Yacht Race in the Aegean Sea. The boat is built in wood and based on a traditional Greek fishing vessel.
Credit: Nic Compton
A UK competitor in the Sydney Hobart race is captured after spending a testing night in 60 knot winds in the Tasman Sea.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
A UK competitor in the Sydney Hobart race is captured after spending a testing night in 60 knot winds in the Tasman Sea.
Credit: Jürg Kaufman
A pair of photographers are in close quarter action on a downwind leg of the Puig Vela Classica off Barcelona to produce an unusual visual effect.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
A pair of photographers are in close quarter action on a downwind leg of the Puig Vela Classica off Barcelona to produce an unusual visual effect.
Credit: Luis Fernandez Rodriguez
"The Mast Walk" of daredevil sailor Alex Thompson is perfectly captured in this shot. A "mad and amazing to shoot," said photographer Mark Lloyd. It finished runner-up in the public vote.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
"The Mast Walk" of daredevil sailor Alex Thompson is perfectly captured in this shot. A "mad and amazing to shoot," said photographer Mark Lloyd. It finished runner-up in the public vote.
Credit: Mark Lloyd
In perfect sailing conditions, the competitor Lionheart in the J Class at the Voiles de Saint Tropez is flying on the upwind leg.<br />
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
In perfect sailing conditions, the competitor Lionheart in the J Class at the Voiles de Saint Tropez is flying on the upwind leg.
Credit: Ricardo Pinto
Tiny dinghy boats are elegantly captured against the backdrop of giant wind turbines during the EFG MothEuroCup in the Netherlands.<br />
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Tiny dinghy boats are elegantly captured against the backdrop of giant wind turbines during the EFG MothEuroCup in the Netherlands.
Credit: Martina Orsini
A pair of boats in the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta cross going upwind, creating a perfect gap for a competitor sailing downwind.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
A pair of boats in the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta cross going upwind, creating a perfect gap for a competitor sailing downwind.
Credit: Sander van der Borch
Optimum 3 Aspida Saxo Bank captured through the waves in the final leg of the Andros International race in Greece.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Optimum 3 Aspida Saxo Bank captured through the waves in the final leg of the Andros International race in Greece.
Credit: Nikos Zagas
100-foot sloop Comanche touches 30 knots on a training run for the Sydney to Hobart race and is pictured from a helicopter.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
100-foot sloop Comanche touches 30 knots on a training run for the Sydney to Hobart race and is pictured from a helicopter.
Credit: Onne van der Wal
Windy and tough conditions at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez with the C Class boat Ranger crashing through the waves and bearing down quickly on the boat with the photographer, who took the shot from about 20 meters away.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Windy and tough conditions at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez with the C Class boat Ranger crashing through the waves and bearing down quickly on the boat with the photographer, who took the shot from about 20 meters away.
Credit: Patrick Le Galloudec
Gurvan Bontemps and Benjamin Amiot on Flying Phantom are captured against the winter afternoon sunshine while training off Saint Malo in France.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Gurvan Bontemps and Benjamin Amiot on Flying Phantom are captured against the winter afternoon sunshine while training off Saint Malo in France.
Credit: Pierrick Contin
The mass ranks of the J70 Class at the Key West Race Week in Florida prepare to start. Moments later the fleet was hit by a squall.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
The mass ranks of the J70 Class at the Key West Race Week in Florida prepare to start. Moments later the fleet was hit by a squall.
Credit: Sharon Green
A trio dolphins choose the perfect moment to show themselves as a competitor in the Bay of Islands Race Week in New Zealand cuts through the water alongside them.
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
A trio dolphins choose the perfect moment to show themselves as a competitor in the Bay of Islands Race Week in New Zealand cuts through the water alongside them.
Credit: Will Calver
Nemes Attila climbs the mast of the catamaran Evopro-Generali Catamaran, competing in the Blue Ribbon Regatta in Lake Baloton in Hungary.<br />
Sailing's best photos of 2014 —
Nemes Attila climbs the mast of the catamaran Evopro-Generali Catamaran, competing in the Blue Ribbon Regatta in Lake Baloton in Hungary.
Credit: Zita Kovacs