THE AMERICA’S CUP THROUGH THE EXPERT LENS OF CARLO BORLENGHI
Born in Bellano on the eastern shores of Lake Como, Carlo Borlenghi began his extraordinary career as a photographer taking pictures of local regattas before scooping a contract with the magazine Uomo Mare Vogue and travelling the world. Today, Carlo is the go-to photographer for many of the world’s top sailing events and has covered every America’s Cup since 1983 when he was assigned to the Azzurra team for Italy’s first challenge.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CARLO'S JOURNEY IN THE AMERICA'S CUP
Since that first campaign where he made an indelible impression, Carlo went on to work for Italia in Fremantle in 1987, Il Moro di Venezia in San Diego in 1992, and Luna Rossa in Auckland in 2000 and 2003. He was the Official Photographer of the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia in 2007 and then worked for Alinghi in Valencia in 2010 before returning to Luna Rossa in San Francisco in 2013. In recent Cup cycles he has worked for both Luna Rossa and the event, notably being the official photographer for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland in 2021.
Carlo’s work has been recognised frequently by awards including the 2003 Omega award for best sports photographer. In 2007 he won the Grand Prix de l’Image Course au Large – Salon Nautique de Paris 2007 and received a plaque from the Italian President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano “for his many years of intense activity in favour of the sailing world.”
Carlo Borlenghi behind the lens during the 36th America's Cup in Auckland – his 12th campaign at that time. Photo: © ACE | Studio Borlenghi.
In the same year Carlo exhibited at the Louis Vuitton space in Paris for the photographic exhibition Winds and Sails dedicated to the America’s Cup. Furthermore in 2012 Carlo was honoured with a solo exhibition in Paris at the Mairie du XVI Arrondissement.
Famed throughout the America’s Cup for delivering some of the most striking imagery ever captured, Carlo’s eye for detail and the perfect photograph is remarkable and his post-production is regarded as the best in the sailing world. Below is a selection of Carlo’s favourite America’s Cup photos, each sparking memories and stories he loves to share.
by Magnus Wheatley
25th America’s Cup: Newport, RI, USA – 1983
THE CHALLENGER'S DOCK
“Azzurra was the first Italian Challenger in the history of the America's Cup, and that was the reason why I went to Newport in 1983. I picked this photo, not because it’s a beautiful nautical photo but because it's representative of how different the America's Cup was in that period. This was the Challenger’s dock, and you can see all the boats sitting side by side, with no one worried about spies. Only Australia II had a keel cover that was hiding the Ben Lexcen designed winged keel. Subsequently in the next Cup in Fremantle, each team had their own base.”
26th America’s Cup: Fremantle, WA, AUS – 1987
THE FREMANTLE DOCTOR
“In Fremantle, I was the Official Photographer of the Italian challenger Italia backed by Maurizio Gucci. Fremantle was a fantastic place, even more so for us photographers. The mists of Newport were gone, and the days were sunny with big waves and big spray. The Fremantle Doctor showed up punctually every day at 1pm bringing with it great wind conditions. I will forever remember our New Year's on the streets of Fremantle.”
29th America’s Cup: San Diego, CA, USA – 1995
RED SOCKS PARADE
“There was no Italian challenge in this edition of the America’s Cup so instead, I was working with Paul Cayard who hired one of the old AC boats the Il Moro di Venezia, to launch the new TOD'S boat competition sports shoes. One of the most memorable memories of Team New Zealand winning the Cup was the wonderful and impressive reception in Auckland they received: the Red Socks Parade.”
30th America’s Cup: Auckland, NZL – 2000
LUNA ROSSA
“I was the Official Photographer for the new Italian Challenge Luna Rossa backed by Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli. This was a very beautiful campaign from a new team that immediately stood out and won the Louis Vuitton Cup.”
31st America’s Cup: Auckland, NZL – 2003
OLD MEETS NEW
“I was the Official Photographer for Luna Rossa in Auckland. This is one of my favourite photos, the meeting of the Italian naval training ship Amerigo Vespucci with Luna Rossa on the Hauraki Gulf after six months of sailing.”
32nd America’s Cup: Valencia, ESP – 2007
EXPLORING DIFFERENT ANGLES
“In 2007 in Valencia I was the Official Photographer of the 32nd America's Cup, working with Michel Hodara, the brilliant head of Communications. This was one of the more interesting Cup editions for me from a photographic point of view. Michel was a volcano of ideas and encouraged you to always find different themes and ideas with your photography.”
34th America’s Cup: San Francisco, CA, USA – 2013
THE COMEBACK
“My memory for this Cup is of one thing: The historic comeback by Oracle Team USA in the Final against Emirates Team New Zealand. A feat like that almost felt impossible.”
36th America’s Cup: Auckland, NZL – 2021
THE SPECTACULAR AC75
“As the Official Photographer for the 36th America's Cup, at a time when the global pandemic was affecting Europe, I was lucky enough to spend four months in New Zealand. You couldn't ask for anything better. The new generation of AC75 was waiting to be discovered, very beautiful, very fast.”
The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, Naples 2027
For the first time ever the Louis Vuitton Cup and Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match will be sailed in Italy, a country with one of the most colourful and enthusiastic America’s Cup histories.
In 2027, the world will look to Italy and specifically to Naples, the capital of the Campania region in Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ancient cities in Europe, as it becomes the Host City for the world’s oldest international sports trophy.
The fight for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will take place under the watchful shadow of Mt Vesuvius and just off the waterfront of the vibrant city. With a proud heritage and rich history, Italy and Naples offer the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup an unparalleled experience that one way or another is certain to add to the myth, obsession, rivalry and innovation of the America’s Cup.
All eyes will be back on the beautiful city of Naples as they will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and welcome the world. Photo: © Stefano Albamonte / Comune di Napoli / America’s Cup