Abu Dhabi is bringing worlds sailing legends together on one yacht, their own ‘Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’ team competing in the next Volvo Ocean Race. A race widely considered the 'Everest of Sailing'. Their own team, including Emirati talents and a hosted stage in Abu Dhabi in 2012. Lots of valuable publicity for an emirate that has sailing embedded in their heritage.
For years some inspiring ocean racing photography work has been created, really stunning stuff with high waves, action, drama and emotion. So a new team requires a databank of new imagery, my privileged task to bring this together. Spend an inspiring time with the team, getting to know them and hats off to what this race is about; eight months of non stop hardcover ocean racing, 24 hours a day on the water with 4 hours shifts, freeze dried meals - daily, no private space, hammering the waves, and always on high alert. Pfff that’s serious stuff.
Ended up being an ok shoot, pity we had no wind; flat, nothing, nada. Therefore didn’t really get the action shots I had in mind, shame. Otherwise got some good brand imagery, crew shots and life on board. They hauled me into the top of the mast for the ‘aerial’ shots, shooting has a different dimension at 25 metres…perhaps we had little waves but at that height everything moves like crazy.
We also scheduled a overnight trip from Dubai back to Abu Dhabi where skipper Ian Walker did an unexpected man overboard exercise. Chaos in pitch blackness with nine red headlights running around rescuing the dummy. Must be incredibly intimidating how this will feel like that extreme open sea – HOLD ON BOYS!!
I am looking forward to see how the team dynamic comes together and can’t wait to see the racing yacht, which is currently being custom build in Italy. Train hard and look after each other.
Wk.
