Focus On Photographers In Lead Up To America's Cup

MEDIA RELEASE December 20, 2002

Focus Goes On Photographers In Lead Up To America's Cup

Photographers nationwide are being invited to prime their cameras, stock up on film and capture the excitement and tension of the Louis Vuitton Cup finals and America's Cup racing, on and off the water, in a photography awards programme launched today.

Two awards are on offer in the Air New Zealand America's Cup Photography Awards - one for professional photographers, the other for hobbyists - with prizes being $2500 worth of Air New Zealand travel and two return trans-Tasman (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane) Pacific Class airfares respectively.

Air New Zealand sponsorship manager Denise Ward says the awards are designed to showcase and recognise the most outstanding images taken in the lead up to and during this world-renown sporting event.

"Air New Zealand is a proud sponsor of the America's Cup and over the course of the Louis Vuitton Cup racing so far, and in deed past America's Cup events, we have seen some incredibly memorable photographs immerging," she says.

"We want to provide professional and hobby photographers alike the opportunity to have their work formally celebrated and also give yachting enthusiasts around the country the chance to show the rest of New Zealand what people in their area are doing to get into America's Cup fever."

Creativity, technique and subject matter is at the photographer's discretion but there must be a connection with the event such as boaties on the Hauraki Gulf, the public enjoying the atmosphere and thrill of the racing, or people in the regions getting into the spirit of the America's Cup and demonstrating their patriotic streak.

Entries must also show why 'Being At The America's Cup Is Everything', illustrate the excitement surrounding the event and have been published (Professional Photographers Award only).

The panel of judges comprises highly regarded photographer Marti Friedlander, Bruno Troublé (Louis Vuitton), Tony Thomas (America's Cup 2003) and a senior Air New Zealand executive.

Along with the travel prizes on offer, the two winning photographs will be displayed in the airline's Auckland Airport Koru Lounge and in its in-flight magazine, attracting a national and international audience of 90,000+ per month.

Entries are to be submitted to Carolyn Wellburn, Air New Zealand America's Cup Photography Awards, Level 16, Lumley House, 7 City Road, Auckland by 5pm, Friday March 14 2003.

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