The odd years
It’s been an odd year! Not as in “unusual” but as in “odd” numbered: 2023. Which means we’ve been up to our ears this summer with Transpac: a thrilling but exhausting whirlwind that happens every other year. So ‘apologies for the delay: this is your July/August Ultimate Sailing blog at last!
The July images represent Giulio Testa’s debut to the Ultimate Sailing Calendar.
This talented young (26-year-old) photographer was born in Naples, Italy where his father was a skipper in the Napoli Gulf. Giulio grew up on the water and became enamored with maritime photography. In particular, he became a huge fan of the fantastic work of our colleague Carlo Borlenghi. I mean: who isn’t a fan of Carlo? [See our November 2020 blog here: https://www.ultimatesailing.com/blogs/news/reflections-carlo-borlenghi]. As an up-and-coming photographer Giulio was determined to meet Carlo and several years ago he got his chance: getting aboard the same photo boat during a race in Capri. Giulio has been collaborating with Carlo ever since.
Since that time Giulio has worked on scores of prestigious events; both as Carlo’s assistant, as official photographers for the Luna Rossa campaign in the 2021 America’s Cup; and on some of the most elite nautical events in the Mediterranean – including the Swan Nations Trophy regatta depicted here.
The Nations Trophy was launched in 2017 by Nautor’s Swan to revitalize true international competition. “The Nations Trophy is an opportunity to bring sailors from different countries together, to place them in friendly, fair-spirited confrontation and to see which is the best,” announced Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Nautor’s Swan. “It is so lovely when countries get together in fair, gentleman-like competition in boats so similar that you put in challenge real human values and skills.” In four days of racing featuring Swan 42s, 45s and 50s classes, competitors enjoy concierge management, close competition, and camaraderie in the most desirable venues in the world.
Photo Credit: Studio Borlenghi
Giulio has captured the grace and competitive spirit of this illustrious fleet in these images, and says he is especially proud to be featured in the ‘best sailing calendar in the world.’ We’re glad to have you too, Giulio!
August’s images in the 2023 Ultimate Sailing Calendar highlight more of the dynamic work of Jesús Renedo and Pedro Martinez whose combined superpowers make up “Sailing Energy.” 
Capturing the long-awaited Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan was a challenge, with a myriad of conditions facing the competitors and photographers alike! Here the men’s 470 racers get airborne on a blustery day. Below, these 14-foot dinghies battle through chop in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. For more about Pedro and Jesus’ spectacular work on the Olympics, see our Feb. 2023 blog here: https://www.ultimatesailing.com/blogs/news/worth-the-wait It's titled ‘Worth the Wait’ and we hope these notes were also worth waiting for! We appreciate your patience!
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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