Final two spots secured in 2016 ilovesailing calendar competition

Dayboats at Cowes Week © Ken Dear

The final two places on the ilovesailing calendar have now been filled completing the 2017 line-up.

Karen Langston, from Beccles, Suffolk, who was also a winner in June, and Ken Dear from Hedge End, Southampton clinched the final two spots after having their photos selected from all the entries received since the competition opened in March.

"We decided to slightly change the competition this year", commented Emma Slater, ilovesailing coordinator. "We receive so many amazing photos that choosing just two each month can prove extremely difficult. We decided that for the final month in the competition we would revisit all the entries and pick our final two winners from all the entries. This way everyone gets two chances of winning a spot on the calendar."

With over 200 entries to choose from the judges had their work cut out for them but in the end it was Karen and Ken who stood out from the crowd.

When asked about his winning shot entitled 'Leaving Cowes', Ken commented: "The photograph was taken from the deck of the Red Funnel ferry, heading back to Southampton, after a lovely day watching the 'Cowes Week' racing from the beach.

I always look for opportunities to get photographs of the boats when I'm on the ferry and this image seemed to sum up the day. Lovely clouds and light, lots of boats milling around and what appears to be a group of yachts, with red sails, gathering for a race."

Ken added: "I'm delighted to be a winner and really chuffed to think my photograph will be in the 'I love sailing calendar'. It will be lovely to share the news with friends and family who I know will be just as proud as I am."

While Karen, who has been ilovesailing calendar competition winner on multiple occasions (2013, 2014 and June 2016), claimed her second calendar spot for 2016 with her image entitled 'Plannin' Streakers'. Karen commented: "It's great to get another photo in the calendar, especially a family one, father and son competing against each other on our wedding anniversary.

"The picture was taken during the Stewartby Streaker Open in July 2015. I was on the committee boat taking photos, as I try to at Streaker Open meetings, and managed to catch Mark and Ryan planning towards me. It was a great days sailing."

Stewartby Streaker Open - photo © Karen Langston

Karen and Ken will now join their fellow winners at a prize giving event to be held at the Southampton Boat Show, Saturday 17 September in the RYA Members' Lounge (14.00) where they will collect the remainder of their prizes; a copy of the 2017 calendar, a canvas print of their winning photo and a selection of RYA goodies to add to their Union Jack ilovesailing duck and two tickets to the boat show.

"Our final two winners complete what is a stunning line up of photos for the 2017 calendar", added Emma. "For the fourth year running we have been overwhelmed with how popular the competition has been and the quality of images we received. I think we've managed to get a set of photos that really showcase what it is we all love about sailing, from stunning sunsets, to close quarters racing or simply the joy of being on the water."

The 2016 ilovesailing calendar competition winners are:

• Joe Purdie, West Mersea, Cornwall
• Teresa Culmer, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Debbie Degge, Redditch, Worcestershire
• Jo Grierson, Poole, Dorset
• Andrew Rimmer, Helmdon, Northants
• Debbie Purser, Saint Mawes, Cornwall
• Karen Langston (x2), Beccles, Suffolk
• Ben Slater, Ringwood, Hampshire
• Josh Cooper (x2), Aberdyfi, Gwynedd
• Ken Dear, Hedge End, Southampton

The ilovesailing calendar competition opened in March with entrants submitting their favourite sailing photos. Each month between March and July two winners were picked to represent a different month on the 2017 calendar. The final two spots were picked in mid-August from all the other entries made between March and July, giving all entrants two chances of winning a spot on the calendar.

The 2017 calendar will be available to purchase from the 16 September when it is officially unveiled at the Southampton Boat Show. The first 50 people to purchase a copy of the 2017 calendar at the boat show from the RYA Stand (B032) will also receive one of ilovesailing's much coveted Union Jack ilovesailing ducks! Alternatively, the calendars will be available to purchase via the RYA web shop, www.rya.org.uk/shop in due course.

The calendar competition is now closed for 2016 but drop by the ilovesailing Facebook page to take part in the extremely 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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