Who wouldn’t want to climb aboard one of these Melges24s and enjoy the brisk spray, during these dog days of summer? The July images in the 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar feature the Melges24 World Championship regatta captured by Sharon Green, and bring a cooling breath of fresh air as summer heat blankets the land.
The 2022 Worlds marked a long-awaited and exhilarating return to competition after two years of cancelation (due to the pandemic). “The mood was really high and it was a thrilling event to photograph,” revealed Sharon. “And I love shooting offshore in Ft. Lauderdale. When it is great, it is really great! The first few days of this regatta were definitely fresh-to-frightening.”
“It was terrific to be back in Fort Lauderdale, where I’ve spent a ton of time,” she continued. “For many years my parents had a beachfront condo there near the entrance to Port Everglades, and my Dad and I used to sit on the patio with binoculars, watching the boats and cracking stone crabs!”
This star-studded event drew 31 boats from around the globe and was won by Peter Duncan and the crew of Raza Mixta, pictured in the inset at bottom. “I was shooting from a rib driven by Sandra Askew’s coach Grant “Fuzz” Spanhake because the event was short photo boats – so the coach boats took turns running me around. It’s tricky to have a coach boat turn into a photo boat: they are trying to do their job and I am trying to do my job. But they were so accommodating and I was able to capture some stunning images.”
‘Such as Sharon’s shot featured at the top of the July pages of the 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar, with Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy leading the pack. “This reminds me of a photo I took during the Big Boat Series,
where I captured a perfect flying formation of spinnakers on San Francisco Bay,” she noted. “During a multi-media presentation one evening a member of the audience asked me, ‘How did you get all those boats to line up like that?’ That always gives me a chuckle, as if I could command that during a race! No, it’s all about being at the right place at the right time – and a bit of luck.”
Sharon added that one day at the Melges24 Worlds, lacking a photo boat, she was treated to a ride on Peter and Edit Harken’s beautiful Outback 50 Lady Hawk II. Peter doesn’t really need any introduction: co-founder of Harken, a leading manufacturer of sailboat, safety and rescue hardware and tools; they have a longtime relationship with Melges Performance Sailboats. The Harkens and company have been good friends and supporters of Ultimate Sailing too, and the feeling is mutual. That day Sharon enjoyed their hospitality and friendship while Matías Capizzano handled the official photography duties.
Sharon said she captured the July images with her Canon EOS R5 camera and 100-500mm lens set at shutter speed 1/2000 F-stop 7.1 “All in all it was a fantastic event, hosted by Lauderdale Yacht Club, with a great Race Committee headed by PRO Tom Lihan, and I was so thrilled to be there!”
Behind the Lens
On July 16 Sharon will be one of a panel of leading yachting photographers featured in a discussion on ‘The Art and Adventure of Sailing Photography’ at the Newport (R.I.) Art Museum!
The Museum announced, “This special talk will dive into the captivating world of sailing photography, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and technical prowess behind each breathtaking shot. Led by three-time J/24 World Champion and Executive Director of Sail Newport Brad Read, the panelists will share their unique journeys and experiences, shedding light on how their practice unfolds from preparation to execution. Learn about the meticulous planning and the split-second decisions that go into capturing the perfect moment during a race. Hear thrilling stories from behind the lens at regattas and discover the challenges and triumphs they face in the dynamic and unpredictable environment of the open sea.”
Sharon will be joined on the panel by Carlo Borlenghi, Stephen Cloutier, Daniel Forster, Dan Nerney, Marina Semenova, Cory Silken and Onne van der Wal. “Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a sailing aficionado, or simply curious about the intersection of these two exciting worlds, this event promises to be both informative and inspiring.”
It starts at 5PM and will be followed by a cocktail party and opportunity to meet the panelists. For tickets and further information go to: https://newportartmuseum.org/events/behind-the-lens-the-art-and-adventure-of-sailing-photography/
Below are the photographs Sharon will feature and discuss, which will be auctioned off after the exhibition! If you are interested in one of these signed images (approx. 24” by 36”) please email us at sail@ultimatesailing.com.
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.
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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