We had to chase down photographer Christophe Favreau in Sydney, Aus. for his comments on this month’s 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar images: coincidentally where the March calendar shots were taken! These thrilling photos depict one of Christophe’s favorite subjects, in one of his favorite venues: the 18-foot skiffs in the land down under. That’s where he was on assignment shooting SailGP when I found him.
Christophe has been photographing in Sydney every year since 2006 and captured this intense action during the JJ Giltinan World Championship regatta. This annual, prominent 18-footer event was first held in 1938, named after originator James J. Giltinan. Talk about legacy!
But although the 18-foot skiff originated well over a century ago, enthusiasts have kept pace with modern developments, while maintaining the integrity of the class. “The 18-footers are absolute icons of sport boats: the matrix of any kind of extreme sailing,” explained Christophe. “They are spectacular, fast, demanding, and handled by passionate sailors. I find all this energy super appealing and very exciting to shoot!”
As a youngster, he first saw the 18-footers in action in a movie. “It showed them racing in Sydney Harbor, and it blows my mind to think this is what encouraged me to fly to Australia 25 years later.” It was a foreshadowing, that he would not only witness this dynamic fleet and action, but become a part of the 18-footer family.
“The 18-footers are certainly not easy to shoot as they are fast, and the fleet splits pretty quickly. They are so powerful under spinnaker that sometimes sailors are struggling to keep the boat under control, so as a photographer you must always be alert,” Christophe added. But sometimes, as they say, ‘stuff happens.’
“Once, our photo boat had engine issues and we got stuck in the way of one of the racing 18-footers.” Ooops! “We had a collision … which ended alright but could have been worst.” He admitted it resulted in an interesting experience, noting that when you’re in the drink, “those boats are pretty impressive from the waterline. And you need to set aside fears about a potential shark attack,” as it was in Sydney Harbor.
But a good day in Sydney, he reported, “is pure magic! A sunny nor’easter, the wind blowing 25 knots … those flying beasts are super-generous from a visual point of view. White water, jumps, colored spinnakers, spray and wakes, the mobility of the crew onboard and tension on people’s faces ... everything comes together to make those races spectacular.” And the photos too!
The large, featured image on the March pages of the 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar was taken from a RIB; the inset gets its terrific perspective from the Race Committee Boat as the 18-footer screams toward the finish.
Christophe uses a Nikon D5 and his favorite lens: the 70-200mm zoom, for its speed and sharpness. “The 18-footers usually require a powerful lenses as it gives you time on the water to shoot them as they approach. I like to use also my 200–400mm lens, but it’s a little less convenient to use on the water.”
Christophe is originally from Les Sables d’Olonne – where the Vendee Globe starts – so was destined to get bit by the yacht racing bug. “What I would say about my photography work, and now writing as I became a journalist for the French press, is it gives me access to a world I love,” Christophe explained. “Being an 18-footer photographer has provided me the opportunity to work alongside legends like Howard Hamlin, John Winning, Trent Barnabas and Michael Coxon, all who are now friends. It is a privilege to be around such intense people, who have achieved so much, and not only in the sailing world.”
“I feel a responsibility to show how beautiful sailing is in general, and particularly when it comes to 18-footers and International 5O5s, another class I am dedicated to,” Christophe continued. “My career has also taken me on some amazing boats like the IMOCA yachts, which are pure offshore weapons! Sailing on those is a great experience, pushing you to your limits sometimes. If you add these experiences on the top of all the amazing destinations I have gone to, this has been kind of a dream job. But a lot harder than it looks,” he quipped.
With a PhD in sports sociology, Christophe started as an assignment photographer for the daily newspaper Presse Ocean, advanced into freelance photography, and now also writes for the leading French sailing publication Voiles et Voiliers.
We are thrilled to have his dynamic images in the Ultimate Sailing Calendar!
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.
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