Final spots secured on ilovesailing calendar 2015

Oliver Southgate from Tiptree in Essex wins a place on the ilovesailing calendar 2015 © Oliver Southgate / OJSPhotography

The final two places on the ilovesailing calendar have now been filled completing the line-up for the 2015 calendar.

Oliver Southgate from Tiptree, Essex and Jo Grierson from Poole, Dorset, who were both also winners in 2014, where picked from amongst 82 amazing entries by a panel of judges, looking for that extra special picture to complete the calendar and complement the existing winners photos.

"It's clear that Oliver and Jo both have an eye for capturing amazing boating related photos, submitting entries both this year and last year that grabbed the judges eyes claiming them spots on the 2014 and now 2015 calendars", commented ilovesailing co-ordinator Emma Slater.

When asked about his win Oliver commented: "I can't believe I've won a space on the calendar again!

"I went to Cowes Week this year with the idea of not sailing and just taking pictures and cycling but managed to get a rides for the last couple of days on a J109 and an XOD. Unfortunately racing was abandoned due to lack of wind. When Saturday dawned and it was champagne conditions I was glad to have my camera with me, I walked down to the green and waited for the fleets to sail by, thanks to the great commentary by Cowes Week Radio, that gave me the perfect timing to set up for the shot I wanted and gave me an idea of what I wanted to capture. I'm very happy it all came together as I haven't been able to get much use out of the camera this year and didn't have an entry for the ilovesailing calendar competition until the last day of Cowes week!"

While Jo commented: "I can't quite believe someone has chosen another of my pics for the calendar...thank you so much! As to how I feel about winning...I find it quite hard to answer that. Having seen some of the other entries which looked stunning I was surprised but also delighted.

"The real winner is not the photographer but the location which I am loathe to reveal as it is so special, a delightfully unspoiled hideaway...might it stay as a mystery location? But I will admit it is in Southern Brittany!"

Jo Grierson from Poole in Dorset wins a place on the ilovesailing calendar 2015 - photo © Jo Grierson

Oliver and Jo will now join their fellow winners at a prize giving event to be held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, Saturday 13 September on the RYA Stand (JO66, 14.00) where they will collect the remainder of their prizes; a copy of the 2015 calendar, a canvas print of their winning photo and a selection of RYA goodies to add to their red ilovesailing duck and two tickets to the boat show.

"I have been overwhelmed with the amount of entries we have received this year. We had to choose just 12 stunning pictures from amongst more than 250 spectacular entries.

"The calendar competition is a great way to showcase the amazing boating pictures people take either professionally or just when they are snapping away on holidays or on sailing adventures. I feel privilege that all our entrants choose to share their photos with us. Without them it would be a pretty rubbish competition so thanks to everyone who took part", Emma continued.

The final twelve calendar competition winners are:

• Andy Carter from Dartmouth, Devon
• Christopher Riordan (location unknown)
• Colin Jex from Arnside, Lancs
• James Rainsford from Dartmouth, Devon
• Nick Wake from Odiham, Hants
• Peter Gowing from Whitstable, Kent
• Jacob Hill from County Down, Northern Ireland
• Karen Langston from Beccles, Suffolk
• Jon Christian from Kristinehamn, Sweden
• Keith Johnson from Retford, Nottinghamshire
• Jo Grierson from Poole, Dorset
• Oliver Southgate from Tiptree, Essex

The ilovesailing calendar competition ran from March to August 2014, with two photo winners being picked each month to appear on the 2015 calendar.

The 2015 calendar will be available to purchase from the 13 September when it is officially unveiled at the PSP Southampton Boat Show. The first 100 people to purchases a copy of the calendar during the boat show on the RYA Stand (JO66) will also receive one of ilovesailing's much coveted ilovesailing ducks! Alternatively, the calendars will be available to purchase via the RYA web shop, www.rya.org.uk/shop

As well as the new calendar competition the ilovesailing page will continue to run its ever popular weekly caption competition, giving you a chance to share your funny, clever and witty captions in a bid to win an ilovesailing duck.

Come along to the page at www.facebook.com/ryailovesailing and get involved.

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