New Zealand SailGP Team driven by Peter Burling

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix

Auckland, New Zealand

On February 20th, 2025, "World Sailing" shared this image across all their social media platforms, accompanied by the bold statement: "Sailing is not a spectator sport." The message was unmistakable and the image itself proved otherwise. It quickly went viral, capturing the attention of news outlets and sailing enthusiasts around the globe. Prominent sailing figures and fans alike reshared the post, amplifying its reach. This moment was captured at the Rolex SailGP in Auckland, where a newly designed grandstand offered an unprecedented experience for thousands of spectators. The image became symbolic of a turning point. It showcased sailing as an engaging, crowd-filled spectacle. That’s why I choose my image as my submission for this years photo competition. Since then, we have witnessed many incredible scenes at SailGP and other sailing events, with fans enjoying thrilling action on the water. But this photo, in my opinion, stands out because it marks a first visual moment that changed the perceptions on sailing and made headlines.

Canon EOS R5 II , RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM + EXTENDER RF2x on 600mm, 500, f5.6 , 1/3200