UltiPhotos of the Year: 2019 Award Winners

The year's most captivating photos!

In our UltiPhotos of the Month series, we feature some of our favorite shots from the leading photography company in ultimate. You get the play, they’ll get the shot.

Rather than highlight the basically nonexistent ultimate of December, we’re taking a moment to look back at the best UltiPhotos images of 2019, as selected by the photographers themselves! The annual UltiPhotos awards already took place on their social media channels, but we’ve got everything in one spot for you to see.

Don’t miss these iconic photos!

Action Photo of the Year

UCSD's Dena Elimelech dives for the game-winning goal.
UCSD’s Dena Elimelech dives for the game-winning goal in the quarterfinals of the 2019 D-I College Championships. Photo by Paul Rutherford – UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere Photo of the Year

Wild Card gets hyped at the 2019 Club Championships. Photo: Jeff Bell — UltiPhotos.com

Photographer of the Year: Paul Rutherford

Paul Rutherford. Photo: Kevin Leclaire — UltiPhotos.com

Paul Rutherford is not only a brilliant photographer but a real workhorse, covering many of ultimate’s biggest events alongside his work shooting major Boston professional teams including the Red Sox and Patriots. Follow his Instagram to see his work.

Rookie of the Year: Sam Hotaling

Sam Hotaling.

It’s hard to believe Sam Hotaling isn’t an UltiPhotos veteran. He was one of the site’s key photographers during the club season and provided some fabulous shots frequently featured as header images on Ultiworld articles. Follow his Instagram to see plenty of ultimate but also bike racing, BMX, and concerts.

Tournament Champion of the Year: Sandy Canetti

Sandy Canetti. Photo: Brian Canniff — UltiPhotos.com

Sandy Canetti earned every bit of this award by covering the most events of any UltiPhotos photographer this year. I think I run into Sandy at tournaments more often than just about anyone in the sport. His Instagram is private, but give him a follow and maybe he’ll let you in!

College Division Awards

Men’s Action

NYU’s Kiran Devine gets a huge layout block. Photo: Alec Zabrecky — UltiPhotos.com

Women’s Action

UCSD's Dena Elimelech dives for the game-winning goal.
UCSD’s Dena Elimelech dives for the game-winning goal in the quarterfinals of the 2019 D-I College Championships. Photo by Paul Rutherford – UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

UCSD’s Dena Elimelech smiles after catching the game-winning goal in the 2019 national quarterfinal against Carleton. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Club Division Awards

Women’s Action

Traffic’s Monica Hsu lays out for the catch. Photo: Jeff Bell — UltiPhotos.com

Men’s Action

Two players vie for the disc at the 2019 Canadian Ultimate Championships. Photo: Jeff Bell — UltiPhotos.com

Mixed Action

Jughandle’s Dmitry Suvorov lays out in the 2019 PAUC final. Photo: Billy Dzwonkowski — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

Wild Card gets hyped at the 2019 Club Championships. Photo: Jeff Bell — UltiPhotos.com

Beach Division Awards

Action

Players vie for the disc at the 2019 Beach Championships. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

Sunset at 2019 Lei-Out. Photo: Rodney Chen — UltiPhotos.com

Semi-Pro Awards

Action

New York Gridlock’s Cassie Wong makes the catch. Photo: Sandy Canetti — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

The Tampa Bay Cannons pregame lineup. Photo: Billy Dzwonkowski — UltiPhotos.com

U24 Worlds Awards

Women’s Action

USA’s Dena Elimelech gets a layout hand block at 2019 U24 Worlds. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Mixed Action

A huge layout from Team Japan in the 2019 U24 Mixed Final. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Men’s Action

A double layout at the 2019 U24 World Championships. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

USA’s Angela Zhu is all smiles against Colombia at the 2019 U24 World Championships. Photo: Paul Rutherford — UltiPhotos.com

Masters Division+ Awards

Masters Action

PAUC 2019. Photo: Billy Dzwonkowski — UltiPhotos.com

Grand Masters / Great Grand Masters Action

Sarasota Sunset 2019. Photo: Billy Dzwonkowski — UltiPhotos.com

Masters/GM/GGM Atmosphere

Sarasota Sunset 2019. Photo: Billy Dzwonkowski — UltiPhotos.com

Youth Division Awards

Boys Action

2019 Minnesota State High School Championships. Photo: Leonard Bernstein — UltiPhotos.com

Girls Action

YCC 2019: Warhawks v. Cutthroat. Photo: Alec Zabrecky — UltiPhotos.com

 

Mixed Action

St.George’s/York and Eric Hamber in the Junior British Columbia HS final. Photo: Jeff Bell — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

Celebrating at the 2019 Canadian Juniors Ultimate Championships. Photo: Jon Hayduk — UltiPhotos.com

Reunion/Hat/League Awards

Action

Bozofest 2019. Photo: Ian Buckmaster — UltiPhotos.com

Atmosphere

Lyra Olson plays in a hat tournament before her wedding. Photo: Jolie Lang — UltiPhotos.com

Want more? Check out the best UltiPhotos of the decade!

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