Over the past few weeks Pentathlon fans across the globe have spoken by submitting hundreds of votes to select picture 16 (photo on the left) as the 2011 photo of the year with a total of 21.6% of the votes.
The photo was taken by Paul Roberts during the 2011 World Cup Final of British athlete Freyja Prentice.
In addition to winning the covered award, Paul's other entrants finished in 3rd and 5th, to be easily the standout photographer of 2011.
Paul stated, after receiving this honour: “This wasn’t a shot that came quickly, as it took many attempts to get the timing right with a combination of Freja’s head above the water line without the surface breaking, and the still water all around her.”
When asked about his inspiration for this shot, the winner stated: “The 200m is such a frantic sprint, full of energy, speed and power. But to tell the complete story I also wanted to capture that calm moment after the gun and before the athletes surface. I like that moment when the water has yet to break around the athletes, as there’s something magical (to me at least) about capturing a moment in a photo that you can’t easily see in real life.”
Paul concluded: “Thank you to the UIPM for giving me the opportunity to capture the unfolding story of the world cup final and well done to all the photographers that contributed some great images this year – it’s a privilege to have won the competition. Finally, thanks to my wife for supporting and encouraging my photography!”
Many of you may remember Paul from his work in the 2011 UIPM Road to London Competition, which he was crowned the winner and will be UIPM’s official photographer at the 2012 London Olympic Games. So, we can all look forward to more exciting pictures like this one.
The top 5:
1. 
Paul Roberts - World Cup Final London, Great Britain
2. 
Li Wang - World Cup #4 Chengdu, China
3. 
Paul Roberts - World Cup Final London, Great Britain
4. 
Natasha Zemba - World Championships Moscow, Russia
5.
Paul Roberts - World Cup Final London, Great Britain
