M & M
It’s a twofer! We’ve combined Ultimate Sailing Calendar’s March and May features into one blog because all of these spectacular images were taken by the same dynamic duo who make up Sailing Energy: Pedro Martinez and Jesús Renedo! And all were photographed at the bustling Trofeo Princessa Sofia regatta in Palma de Mallorca.
Over 1000 sailors from 75 different nations descended on this stunning and historic Spanish island to compete in 10 Olympic classes, each athlete aiming for a berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games the backdrop to the regatta was the dynamic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, which soars more than 4700 feet above sea level and has been awarded World Heritage Status for its great physical and cultural significance.
The March pages in the 2025 Ultimate Sailing Calendar depict the massive Formula Kite classes – nearly 100 competitors in the men’s and women’s events combined. On the day these images were captured, the breeze was capricious: a challenge to racers and photographers alike. But thankfully, the wind was more intense on the day Sailing Energy captured the ILCA Laser classes for the May 2025 pages.
That day, the wind built to 17kts, “a bit more than we expected that day,” said Jesús. “But I got into it pretty quickly, the wind going back and forwards a bit, but it was so good to be back out there doing it all again.” Then it was game on!
“Photographing multiple classes on multiple racecourses isn’t easy!” he pointed out. With hundreds of sailors split between eight different courses – all sailing at the same time – we might be tempted to clone Jesús and Pedro! “Most of the racing happened on time and in good wind conditions, which makes our photos look even better,” Jesús added, saying that it also helps the Race Committees, mark set team, media teams, etc. “Everybody benefits from it if we can start and finish on time.” ‘Especially critical when there are so many fleets, courses, and competitors: 300 racers in the Laser classes alone!
Pedro added, “You need a good understanding of the rules, the schedules, and to make a good plan, to be efficient. And a good and fast boat, and a skilled driver!”
The team tackled all the action on the water they could, using regular cameras, drones, and underwater cameras too. “We believe it is important to offer a variety of angles and photographic styles,” Jesús noted.
“I am always thrilled when I see the creative efforts of Jesus and Pedro. I just love their style of photography, whether it is drone, underwater housing, or from a chase boat. “
On the water they use Canon mirrorless cameras and mostly long lenses (500 to 800mm). “We transmit the photos to our editors directly from the water, to speed up the editing and cataloging of the photos. All of our photos are tagged with the sailor’s name, class, nationality, and sail number.”
However, they were also charged with taking photos of the many activities onshore, which presented its own challenge. With the Race Village spread around Palma Bay, Jesús said, “It is really difficult to move around. Probably more difficult than shooting on the water!”
As prestigious as it might seem, jet-setting and shooting around the world, it has its pros and cons. “Transporting and traveling with all this equipment is tiring,” he added. “And very expensive.”
“But on the other hand, you get to photograph at many of the most beautiful locations in the world. We spend so many good times with the sailors and media teams, we feel like part of the story!”
In memory of Sandy Green: June 17, 1935 – April 12, 2025
Please join us in remembering Sharon’s mother, Sandy Green, who recently cast off her lines just a few months shy of her 90th birthday.
It was Sandy and Don (who passed in 2019) who instilled in Sharon and her brother Steve a passion for sailing.
Family cruises, club and weeknight racing grew into a full-blown Canada’s Cup campaign in 1978, which Sandy managed and supported as Don and crew sailed on to victory. They were an indomitable couple and team, Sandy as proprietor of the Village Toy Shoppe, while Don’s OEM business Tridon also excelled. A creative force, she was recognized as a fabulous cook and talented seamstress, always stylishly put together regardless of the occasion; a loving mother and grandmother to four grandchildren.
“My Mother passed along her creativity and tenacity to me—qualities I may carry with me every day as a photographer, said Sharon. I may not be the cook or baker she was, but she taught me how to throw a great party and make people feel welcome. One of my favorite memories is coming home from a trip, no matter the time of day, and finding her famous toasted chicken sandwich waiting, perfectly cooked, with lettuce and mayo, just the way I liked it. Even when I was pregnant, that was all I ever wanted—and she always had it ready. That was Mom: thoughtful in every detail and always ready to show her love in the most comforting, delicious ways. And of course, whenever you walked out the door, you’d always hear her say, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
By Betsy Senescu
Also in News
Royal Blue
Oh, that water! That sparkling, rich royal blue that caresses the yachts as they hurtle toward Honolulu on the Transpacific Yacht Race, as depicted in the April 2025 pages of the Ultimate Sailing Calendar.
Maxed Out
We have excitedly shared Gilles’ exquisite work before in the Ultimate Sailing Calendar, and this month focus on the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo. Here an impressive fleet of more than 40 behemoth, majestic maxi yachts battled their rivals and the seas, off the blustery coast of Sardinia.
Make mine a double
The January pages of the 2025 Ultimate Sailing Calendar: in Luca Butto’s featured image the crew hikes hard, defying the explosion of spray buffeting the maxi yacht Cannonball, as it plows to weather at the Tre Golfi Sailing Week in Naples. In the inset image, at the bottom, Stefano Gattini captures the Club Swan 36 Farstar in hot pursuit at the Swan Croatia Challenge.
+About Ultimate Sailing
Sailing is a magnificent, colorful and dramatic sport. This unique sport has many variables with the constantly changing elements, sea conditions, boats, events, competitors and locations. The challenge is to capture on film electrifying moments that take your breath away. Those moments and opportunities are very few, but when they happen... it is ultimate sailing." ~ Sharon Green
Sharon Green has been capturing electrifying images of performance sailing for more than 40 years. Her annual Ultimate Sailing Calendar, featuring the highlights of competitive sailing, is eagerly anticipated by yachting and photography enthusiasts worldwide. Sharon has been published in major boating publications, both locally and internationally, since she first took up a camera while still in high school.
The pursuit of 'Ultimate Sailing' images never seems to grow old. Four decades and I still love the challenge of creating memorable images for my clients and the calendar."
Sharon is happiest when she is on the water or hanging from a helicopter in search of the elusive image that can be called 'Ultimate Sailing'. "My greatest satisfaction is when it all comes together: the anticipation, planning, organizing, traveling and epic conditions that combine to create a thrilling photograph.
The passage of time eludes our grasp: we can only look back in awe and look forward in anticipation. Never did I expect, 40 years ago, that my vision of creating the Ultimate Sailing Calendar would endure and provide such an extraordinary life experience. boundless advancements in sailing, and concurrently radical developments in camera and photographic technology, have kept me on my toes and the years have swept by! I find myself at this landmark anniversary: humbled by your patronage and inspired by your support. To my many friends, colleagues, clients, and subjects who have sustained and fueled this endless passion for capturing the ultimate Sailing image, I extend my deepest love and gratitude.
View the images by clicking the 40th button
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