In celebration of the beautiful sport of sailing and those who capture the best moments on the water, we share our favourite images captured at Rolex events around the globe.
Featured photographers include Carlo Borlenghi, Kurt Arrigo, Chris Cameron, Lloyd Images and Bob Martin
SailGP Around the World
SailGP presents the fastest, most competitive inshore stadium racing in an unrivalled atmosphere at some of the world’s most iconic harbours. The spectacular fan experience is available at the venue, on the water, on-air, through an award-wining app and year-round through digital channels.
Sailing skill needs to be combined with strength and agility to be able to move about on the trampoline deck of the F50. ©Lloyd Images for SailGP
Six crews took part in the San Francisco SailGP raced in view of the landmark Golden Gate Bridge. ©Chris Cameron for SailGP
Marseille SailGP Given the close nature of the ompetition, making clean mark roundings is an essential component of SailGP Racing. ©Chris Cameron for SailGP
Exciting sailing conditions in Cowes provided fast and enthralling racing with the Australian SailGP Team breaking the 50-knot speed barrier. ©Bob Martin for SailGP
Rolex Swan Cup
Nautor’s Swan first came to prominence in the late 1960’s, with the launch of the first series-produced fibre-glass yacht. Every two years, since 1980, the Swan fleet has gathered at its spiritual home at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Sardinia. Owners, crews and guests meet for a week of high drama on the water and conviviality ashore. 2018 Marked the 20th edition of the event.
Close comepetition in the Clubswan 50 World Championship for Onegroup, Earlybird and Mathilde 2018. ©Rolex/Carlo Bolenghi
Aifos500 from Spain- One of twelve yachts contesting the first edition of the Cubswan 50 World Championship 2018. ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Six Jaguar, winner of the Sparkman & Stephens Class at the 2018 Rolex Swan Cup. © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
2016 marked the 19th edition of the event.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
The Costa Smeralda provides a stunning setting and a variety of challenging conditions for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, one of the highlights of the Mediterranean yachting season. The first Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (known then as the Maxi World Championship) was held in Sardinia in 1980. The brainchild of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and its then-president, The Aga Khan, the regatta is now an eagerly anticipated annual event attracting a sizeable fleet of majestic Maxi Yachts to Porto Cervo each September.
2019 marked the 20th Edition of the event.
The Rolex Fastnet Race
The world’s largest offshore race, the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race has been an established fixture on the ocean racing circuit since 1925. The 605-nautical mile race is a test of strategy and skill with challenging tidal currents and changeable weather. The race starts off the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, taking the fleet out of the Solent and across the often tempestuous Celtic Sea to the Fastnet Rock, before returning on a reciprocal course to the finish in Plymouth.
2019 marked the 48th edition.
The 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race Fleet heads west past the needles © Carlo Borlenghi
The 30.48 metre (11 ft) SHK Scallywag is dwarfed by steep seas as she rounds the Fastnet Rock ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
Wizard launches off a wave shortly after passing the Fastnet rock and heading to the finish off Plymouth ©Roelx/Kurt Arrigo
The approach to the Fastnet rock at dawn can be an inspiring moment for tired crews ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
The Rolex Middle Sea Race
The Rolex Middle Sea Race takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and comprises one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Starting and finishing in Malta, the 606 Nautical mile route includes the deep azure waters of Sicily and the Strait of Messina, the Islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, and even features Stromboli’s active volcano as a course mark. Organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, 2019 marked the 40th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Sail work for the foredeck crew of Marton Joza's Wild Joe. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
Aragon was the sixth yacht to cross the finish line at the 2019 Rolex Middle Sea Race. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
George David's Rambler begins her quest for a fifth straight Rolex Middle Sea Race line honours title. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
Cannon fire from Valletta's saluting battery always marks the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. The 2019 edition witnessed seven start sequences. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
The Rolex Giraglia
The Rolex Girgalia, which celebrates its 67th edition in 2019, includes one of the most renowned offshore races in the Mediterranean. Following an overnight race from Sanremo, the fleet gathers in the chic harbour of Saint-Tropez for three days of inshore competition before embarking on a 241-nautical mile offshore race via the Giraglia, a rock outcrop off the Northern tip of Corsica, to the finish. In 2019 the finishing port was based in Monaco.
The Rolex Giraglia fleet enjoying close racing during day 1 of the popular inshore series in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Two of the leading contenders for the Rolex Giraglia line honours Rambler and Magic Carpet Cubed. © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Sir Peter Ogden's Jethou making progress having negotiated the La Moutte turning mark. ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The constant breeze ensured the 2019 Rolex Giraglia was one of the fastest in recent memory. ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The Maxi 72 Caol Ila R prepares to round the Giraglia rock. ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Velsheda leads fellow J class Topaz through the emerald waters off Porto Cervo ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Rolex Sydney Hobart Regatta
Mention the leading ocean races in the world and the Rolex Sydney Hobart is certainly in the top three. This 628-nautical mile offshore race organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia provides a tough test for skippers, tacticians and crews alike. A yachting classic, the race attracts a well-seasoned international fleet ready to test itself against the challenging conditions.
The 2019 race is the 75th edition of this time-honoured event.
Comanche was first to finish the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in a time of 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes and 24 seconds. ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
In secure overall victory on corrected time twice in three years, Matt Allen and the crew of Ichi Ban join an elite group of multiple winners of one of yachting's most sought after trophies. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
Australian fur seals keep watch as Envy Scooters heads towards the Derwent River and the finish of the race. @Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
Bounty Brassware our rush passes the dramatic dolerite structures of Tasan Island, the Southernmost point of the 628nm course. ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
The Rolex TP52 World Championship
The TP52 class is at the forefront of Grand Prix yachting, and the Rolex TP52 World Championship is the highlight of the annual 52 SUPER SERIES. The 2019 Rolex TP52 World Championship brought together elite crews from the yacht racing world for a week of dramatic and captivating competition off Puerto Portals, Mallorca. With a closely matched fleet the emphasis is firmly on crew work, and timing is a fundamental component. At this level every second counts, and so does every race. The victor is most definitely the best prepared and most skilful team.
THE FOREDECK CREWS COMPETING IN THE ROLEX TP52 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ARE KEPT BUSY HANDLING GIGANTIC SPINNAKERS ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
THE ROLEX TP52 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CREWS KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON EACH OTHER ON DAY FOUR OF RACING ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
PROVEZZA RETURNED TO ACTION ON DAY FOUR AFTER LOSING HER MAST ON THE FIRST DAY OF RACING ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
BRONENOSEC AND SLED, TWO OF THE CREWS WHO ENJOYED RACE VICTORIES AT THE 2019 ROLEX TP52 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
QUANTUM RACING, UNITED STATES, AND PROVEZZA, TURKEY, ENJOYED RACE VICTORIES AT THE 2019 ROLEX TP52 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
PROVEZZA (BOW 09) AND PHOENIX 12 (BOW 12) SEEK TO MAINTAIN A NARROW LEADER OVER THEIR PURSUING RIVALS ©Rolex/Kurt Arrigo
