Durban Photographer’s Image Sails Into International Competition

Photo Credit: Chris Clark

Durban’s seas were a washing machine the day that photographer Chris Clark got the shot that has landed him in one of the world’s biggest sailing photography competitions. Now, he needs that final push to make it into the winning lot!

Durban, South Africa (22 October 2025) – A Hillcrest local has just put the spotlight on Durban’s sailing community! Chris Clark, an amateur photographer and keen member of the Hillcrest Camera Club, has had one of his images selected among the top 120 sailing photographs of the year in the prestigious Pantaenius Yacht Racing Images competition.

And now, Durbanites and fellow South Africans can help him bring it home by casting a vote.

Clark’s photo was taken on the final day of the Marriott Mirror Worlds, hosted by Point Yacht Club offshore of Durban in April. It was a week that threw everything at competitors. His striking shot captured two tiny Mirror dinghies battling their way up a giant swell, sails snapping backwards in sudden gusts.

Clark was once a competitive sailor himself, but a back injury sadly ended his time on the water. Photography became his new passion, with a gallery of South African wildlife shots already under his belt. In the last two years, those two worlds collided as he began covering Durban’s major regattas behind the lens instead of the helm.

“Wow, there are some amazing pics there,” he said after hearing the news. “It is a tremendous honour, and a dream come true to discover my image nestled amongst some of the big names in yachting photography. It all feels quite surreal to recall that day – watching the brave little red-sailed dinghies disappear into enormous troughs and then burst back onto the crests.”

Even the sailors themselves remember it well.

Denver Kruger, who features in the photo alongside teammate Ethan, shared:

“Surfing that swell collapsed our spinnakers! I remember that moment clearly. My imagination ran wild as I watched the wave turn white immediately after into a rolling foam wall.”

The competition is one of the most respected in sailing photography worldwide, with the top 20 images set to go on display at the Metstrade Show in Amsterdam from 18–20 November 2025.