Where in the world?
Where in the world is Amory Ross? Our intrepid contributor – who captured these incredible breathtaking images on the April pages of the 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar – is off the grid! And it’s no surprise.
Amory is one of the most accomplished ‘Plimptonian’ journalists in the world, bouncing from coast to coast, surf to slopes to capture action sports from within. He has participated in The Ocean Race four times as an onboard photographer/videographer, calling it, “an exhausting, stressful, full-time, nomadic existence but (I’m) exactly where I want to be.”
Amory has been a sailing photographer all of his professional life and noted, “I really love to play with lighting: backlight, low-light, high contrast, or super saturated, and to capture movement.” When he heard about the addition of an Onboard Reporter to what was then called the Volvo Ocean Race, he determined to ramp up the skills he needed to qualify. He focused on the requisite writing, story-telling and video production to earn his first spot in 2011-12 event aboard Puma.
He returned in 2014-15 aboard Alvimedica, in 2017-18 with Vestas 11th Hour Racing and again most recently with 11th Hour Racing. Although he said he’s “technically not one of the sailors” he is clearly excellent in his role, and was bitten by the bug hard!
Rounding Cape Horn aboard 11th Hour Racing’s 60-foot foiler Mālama, Amory captured these stunning images by drone which depict both the power and beauty of the Southern Ocean, plus the intense conditions competitors must endure during the five-month, 32,000nm challenge.
“Amory creates exceptional images and footage and is multi-talented as an onboard reporter,” said Sharon Green. “I’m just in awe of him! The task is challenging and requires a lot of skill and agility. Flying a drone from the boat, shooting stills and video, editing onboard while being bashed around, with water, water everywhere … writing and creating the social media and posts, and having to upload it all in the middle of a roaring sea: he’s just amazing. And through it all, he always seems to be smiling.”
In his bio he reported, “I don’t think there is any better job in the world for me. I’m a passionate sailor and I love sharing this sport – particularly its extremes. There is nothing else like it. It prepares you for anything and everything. To be onboard living the adventure… it is an impossible invitation to decline and I’m never happier than when I’m at sea doing what I’m best at.”
In addition to generating breathtaking images, 11TH Hour Racing won both the In-Port and Ocean Legs of the 2022-23 edition of The Ocean Race. The team was led by skipper Charlie Enright and as an aside, Sharon and I both proudly have a claim to fame on Charlie’s meteoric rise, as we were involved in the Disney Morning Light film production and present when the final Transpac team was chosen!
Speaking of Sharon … recently she was featured on Latitude38’s “Good Jibes” podcast! If you ever wanted to know how Sharon got into sailing and photography, what her favorite venues and events are, which ones she still hopes to capture and other tidbits, then listen in at GOOD JIBES! You’ll hear how passionate she still is about capturing ‘Ultimate Sailing’ images! https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/podcast/episode-132-sharon-green-sailing-photographer/ ]
And to read more about Amory, check out: https://www.11thhourracingteam.org/news/gearing-up-to-tell-the-story-with-amory-ross/
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Everywhere there’s a pop of color – in the spinnakers, graphics and the depth of the sea – adding to sailing’s multi-sensory sport, art and passion. ‘Like the intense vermilion and marigold of Fast Exit II’s sail plan; the tones emblemizing the force and fury of the yacht as it plows through the azure waves of Hawaii.
+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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