Go Boating NZ
Sailing photographer Carlo Borlenghi, who couldn't swim, dies at 69, 04 August 2026
Sydney to Hobart Race

Sailing photographer Carlo Borlenghi, who couldn't swim, dies at 69

1 min read
Go Boating staff reporter

Carlo Borlenghi, one of sailing's greatest visual storytellers, has died suddenly at his home in Bellano on the shores of Lake Como. The Italian photographer spent more than four decades training his lens on the sea, producing images that defined how generations of fans, sailors, and race organisers came to understand the beauty and drama of offshore racing.

An aerial shot of Wild Oats XI making her way to the Rolex Sydney Hobart finish line.
An aerial shot of Wild Oats XI making her way to the Rolex Sydney Hobart finish line. | Photo: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

By his own admission, he couldn't swim. Yet he spent his life chasing boats across every ocean on earth.

The dramatic Organ Pipes provide a stunning backdrop as a competitor sails past.
The dramatic Organ Pipes provide a stunning backdrop as a competitor sails past. | Photo: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Born in 1956, Borlenghi was a constant presence at the world's major regattas. His eye for light, scale, and the human story within a race made his images instantly recognisable.

Spectator boats create plenty of wash as the fleet departs Sydney Harbour.
Spectator boats create plenty of wash as the fleet departs Sydney Harbour. | Photo: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Ciao Carlo, 1956–2026.

A bowperson hard at work in their element on the water.
A bowperson hard at work in their element on the water. | Photo: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Light plays across the waves surrounding Moneypenny.
Light plays across the waves surrounding Moneypenny. | Photo: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

What to read next