Stunning local snaps sail into Royal Yachting Association calendar

STUNNING images of Hurst Castle bathed in sunshine at dawn and two yachts sailing in the Solent have won two local amateur photographers spots in a prestigious calendar.

Mark Jardine’s snap of the iconic Milford landmark titled Sunrise at Hurst impressed the judges of the competition run by the Royal Yachting Association, while Ela Miller’s Playground – Catch Me If You Can also caught their eye.

The photos will feature in the RYA’s ilovesailing 2021 calendar and the two winners also receive a rubber duck as an extra prize.

Mark lives in Milford and took his photo from Hurst spit, inspired during his daily runs during lockdown. He said: “I’m delighted to win a spot on the ilovesailing calendar and of course a coveted duck!

“I’ve seen so many of the great photos submitted in the past and very happy that one of my shots is regarded worthy.”

Ela, from Christchurch, said: “I didn’t think there would be any opportunities for me to take any sailing photos to take part in the ilovesailing calendar competition this year.

“However, when some of the lockdown restrictions were lifted and self-isolation finished we escaped for a week sailing in the Solent.

“My camera was on board and with the beautiful weather there were a few opportunities to take photos of the sailing vessels.

“It was a last-minute submission for the July entry and I kept my fingers crossed for a bit of luck.

“To know that one of the photos has been chosen for the calendar put a big smile on my face. It only proves that it is always worth trying!”

Ela said that for the snap she had anchored her boat for a coffee stop in the Solent. While the kettle was on the sailing dinghies started appearing from Keyhaven Yacht Club.

She said: “They looked like they were all having fun playing together.”

Mark and Ela will also be given a canvas print of their winning photos and two tickets to the RYA Dinghy Show in Farnborough next February, or two tickets to the 2021 Southampton Boat Show.

The RYA’s Emma Slater said of the calendar competition: “Now in its eighth year it really goes to show the diversity and beauty of sailing and it is always a delight to see the images sent in each month.”

The 2021 calendars will go on sale on the RYA Shop from mid-September and can be bought at www.rya.org.uk/shop