First two winners in the 2018-19 ilovesailing calendar competition

And we reveal the 2018 ilovesailing duck! © RYA

The first two places on the 2019 ilovesailing calendar have been secured by Michelle Howell from Wakefield, West Yorkshire and Mark Smith from Bildeston, Ipswich.

Picked from 36 fantastic entries submitted in March, Michelle and Mark’s images really caught the judge’s eyes clinching them a spot on the calendar and a host of other prizes including:

• Two tickets to the PSP Southampton Boat Show for the official prize giving
• Canvas print of their winning entry
• A copy of the final printed calendar
• A selection of RYA goodies
• And of course the much loved ilovesailing rubber duck – which this year is a black duck to compliment the black and white theme of the 2019 calendar!

Speaking of her winner image entitled ‘Downwind Sailing – Goose Winged’, Michelle, who also clinched a spot on the 2018 ilovesailing calendar commented: “Many thanks for choosing my photo. It’s an honour to be chosen again!

“The photo was taken in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between Canary Islands and St Lucia whilst sailing in the trade winds on The ARC 2017. Taken using an 8mm fisheye lens, hence the curvature of the sea, sails etc! The yacht was an Oyster 56, and it took us 3 weeks to cross to the Caribbean!”

Mark’s winning picture was taken in the Colne Estuary off East Mersea during one of the superb Brightlingsea SC Thursday Night Series races. Entitled ‘Evening Fireball’, Mark commented: “I’m really pleased that a quick shot from a rescue boat on a Thursday evening race at Brightlingsea Sailing Club has made the calendar!”

Story by Emma Slater, RYA