THESE stunning photographs capture the drama of one of the south’s biggest sailing events – and have won the people who took them prizes.

They are the winners of the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week photography competition.

Will Ball’s jaw-dropping bird’s-eye view of the action in Cowes, right, was taken after he clambered up the 23-metre mast of his grandfather’s boat Antilope.

“It was the first time I had ever been up to the top of a mast and was something I had always wanted to do,” said Will, 15, who used a GoPro camera from one of the crew to take his winning snap.

Sophie Hunt, a keen 27-year-old sailor from Bembridge, captured the racing yachts in close quarters as they prepared to do battle at the start line. The photo was taken from an iPhone whilst out racing.

“I’m so pleased to have been selected as a winner in this competition” said Sophie, who said it was the first photography competition she has entered.

The other winner was Simon Dear, 48, who scooped top prize in the ‘shore-side’ category with an arty monochrome shot of two cyclists enjoying the racing, All three have received £250 worth of photography equipment vouchers.

The winners were picked by a panel of judges, including double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, who said: “Cowes Week never fails in giving sailors and spectators opportunities to capture really exciting photos. It’s such a special event, which I am very close to living on the Island, so it’s great to see the different types of entries in this competition.”