28 nov. 2007

Is AC war over ???

Ernesto Bertarelli (Alinghi) and Larry Ellison (BOR) - 
Newport-RI-USA 2004

Last night in America's Cup world , it have been very active.
I got the news of Alinghi ( with SNG and ACM) loosing the court case in NYC around 20.00.
All evening have been chat and phone call with friends involve in AC, journalist, photographers, sailors and team members.
I took part in last 3 AC, 2 in Auckland-NZL ( what a nice country) and in Valencia-ESP.
First time in Auckland I have been Free-Lance, and it took me 2 months to understand what was so special in that event.
The second time was my first camapign with an AC Team as Team's photographer, and lucky me to have been part of Alinghi Team from begnning (2001/2003).
GREAT Spirit, Fabulous sailors.
A real Magic time for me.
Not the same during last campaign (2003/2007).
Like human, a team do change. But the Sailing team did it again in Valencia and keep the Cup, which was the main goal.
32nd AC in Valencia have been very smooth on legal side. No much protest, no much legal action between teams.
And a few days after second Victory of Alinghi, legal action came back in spotlight of that magic racing event.
I don't say that I like that, but that's always have been part of AC since the beginning of the oldest trophy  history. That's what is so special in AC.
I can imagine it's not easy for many sailors ( do I keep my job or not?) for sponsors ( Will I have return on my money??) and for Organisation ( When ?? Where ?? How??).

I would like to dream , that today enemies will become "old Friends" like it was ( 2003/2004, see photo), and we could be witness again of a fantastic racing.

25 nov. 2007

Francis Joyon (FRA) start in Brest.


Thierry et Eric in a cold heli in Molene.

On Friday 23 Nov , Francis Joyon (FRA) left BREST (FRA) for a SOLO NON-STOP ROUND THE WORLD attempt. 
The only serious way to do  multihull images is from helicopter.
So I left on thursday afternoon  with Eric Oger (Pilot) and my friend Thierry Dubois as assistant. On the way north we did images of Thomas Coville who was sailing back home after a 24h training on his maxi-multi "SODEB'O".
It was first time for Thierry Dubois to be in an helicopter  during a photo-shoot. Last time he have been in an heli , was when Australian navy helicopter come to save him in souhtern ocean during Vendee Globe  (January 1997). 
After a night on Molene Island, we take off to be on the starting line on time.
Francis did not use the same starting line than Ellen did 3 years ago. Francis left from "Le Petit Minou" lighthouse , as Ellen ( and all Jules Verne attempt use Ushant line).
It was sunny and light wind. Only 3 boats was there. ( How many when he will come with a new record, in Feb?)


Short video made with my new Canon G9

50mn after start we land on a very small island, so I have been able to send by 3G few images to press and webs.
First plan was to stop in Sein island, but sky was not very blue , so I decided to do a second shoot over Francis's boat before going back home.
Nearly 5h heli to do that job. Thanks to Eric , and Thierry for navigation, not so easy to find a sailing boat in open sea.

Have a look on my website for Thomas Coville and Francis Joyon images..... thmartinez.com

Welcome on my planet...

Hello,
Since June I got the idea to do a blog. I had a forum, but it become quickly a nightare because of million of spams coming every day.
Some of my friends, as Maria Ryan, Gilles Martin-Raget, Franck Socha did started before me.
I am not sure I will be able to update in a regular basis but I will do my best to share on that blog what I do in life and specialy what's is backstage life of a Sailing photographer.

PS: as I am not English , I hope you will be nice with my way to write on that blog...