First two spots on the 2017 ilovesailing calendar secured
by Emma Slater 4 Apr 2016 21:10 BST
4 April 2016
Joe Purdie wins a spot on the 2017 ilovesailing calendar © Joe Purdie
The first two places on the 2017 ilovesailing calendar have been secured by winners Joe Purdie from West Mersea and Teresa Culmer from Nuneaton.
Picked from amongst 39 fantastic entries submitted in March, Joe and Teresa's images stood out for the judges clinching them a spot on the calendar and a host of other prizes including:
- Two tickets to the Southampton Boat Show for the official prize giving
- A copy of the final printed 2017 ilovesailing calendar
- A canvas print of their winning picture
- RYA goody bag
- And of course, the ilovesailing duck who this year is flying the Union Jack in support of the British Sailing Team as they head off to the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer
"It was a lovely surprise to hear that I had won a place in the ilovesailing calendar competition. The photograph was taken at Staunton Harold SC whilst attending the ITCA Midlands coaching event", commented Teresa.
"It was an overcast breezy day, but the sun suddenly shone through the cloud and lit up all of the Topper sails from behind, I was lucking enough to be able to catch the moment. We had three juniors from Tamworth Sailing Club taking part, unfortunately they were all head on in this photograph and cannot be seen!"
While Joe commented: "I was really thrilled when I heard I got a space on the calendar, I did not think I was going to make it, but it just shows anything is possible.
"The photo was taken by me with no Photoshop work, the sunset was left behind from the tail end of 'Storm Kate' with dramatic red, pink and orange skies."
The ilovesailing calendar competition is open to anyone wishing to submit their favourite sailing photos. Each month two lucky entrants will be picked to win a place on the 2017 calendar, along with a host of other great prizes including tickets to the Southampton Boat Show for the official prize giving ceremony.
"We've had another great start to the calendar competition this year", commented Emma Slater, ilovesailing co-ordinator. "All the entries we received were fantastic and it was a tough job for the judges to narrow it down to our final two winners.
"In a slight change from previous years, two winners will be picked each month between March and July to represent a different month on the 2017 calendar, with the final to spots being selected in August from all the other entries made between March and July. This way all entrants will have two shots at winning a spot on the calendar."
All you have to do to take part is post your favourite sailing photo(s) on to the ilovesailing Facebook page www.facebook.com/ryailovesailing or email your entry to , it's that easy. Winners will be notified via Facebook and/or email.
All entrants should ensure they are the owner of the image or have permission to use the image. Images are also required to be a minimum of 1MB (high res) for printing purposes.
The 2017 calendars will go on sale at the 2016 Southampton Boat Show in September, with the first 100 people to purchase a copy also receiving a 2016 ilovesailing rubber duck. Alternatively the calendars will also be available to purchase via the RYA web shop, www.rya.org.uk/shop from 16 September.
As well as the 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.