Vale Carlo Borlenghi
The international sailing community is mourning the loss of legendary Italian photographer Carlo Borlenghi, whose images defined more than four decades of the sport.
Photography by Carlo Borlenghi
05 August 2026
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Hailed as Italy’s greatest photographer and certainly one of yachting’s most brilliant, Carlo Borlenghi passed away suddenly 3 August at the age of 70 in his hometown of Bellano, on Lake Como.
For more than 40 years, Borlenghi’s photographs shaped the way generations of sailors experienced the sport. His dramatic images of America’s Cup yachts, offshore racers, superyachts and Olympic classes became synonymous with elite sailing, appearing in magazines, books, calendars and campaigns around the world.
Beginning his career photographing local regattas on Lake Como, Borlenghi’s breakthrough came through Uomo Mare Vogue, launching an international career that took him to virtually every major sailing event.
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Borlenghi was the long-time official photographer for Rolex sailing events, Luna Rossa, Giovanni Soldini campaigns, Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races, and countless grand prix regattas.
He photographed every America’s Cup from 1983 to 2024, covering 13 campaigns and becoming one of the sport’s defining visual storytellers.
From Azzurra‘s pioneering Italian America’s Cup challenge in Newport in 1983 through to Luna Rossa’s 2024 campaign in Barcelona, Borlenghi documented every edition of the America’s Cup for more than four decades. His portfolio also included Rolex sailing events, Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races, Giovanni Soldini’s offshore campaigns and many of the world’s premier superyacht regattas.
His distinctive style combined technical precision with an instinctive ability to capture speed, light and emotion on the water. Whether photographing from a helicopter, a chase boat or on board, Borlenghi’s work became instantly recognisable and helped define the visual identity of modern yacht racing.
Over the many years, his contribution was recognised with numerous international photography awards, including the Grand Prix Professional de la Photo de Mer in Paris and the Omega Award for Italy’s best sports photographer.
In 2007 he was honoured by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for his many years of service to the sailing world.
Beyond the racecourse, Borlenghi published numerous books, staged exhibitions across Europe and founded the specialist marine photography agency Sea&See, influencing a new generation of sailing photographers.
His images chronicled some of sailing’s greatest moments, ensuring that his legacy will endure wherever the sport’s history is told.
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