Hobart and William Smith Colleges

17 October 2011 Ross 06 Photographs World Race

Former Hobart sailor Amory Ross 06 was recently appointed the onboard media crew member for PUMAs Mar Mostro in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, a nine-month around the world race. Based in Newport, R.I., where he specializes in nautical photography, video and multi-media, he has logged offshore racing miles as both a crew member and onboard media specialist.

The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Alicante, Spain, this month and concludes in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012. Teams will sail more than 39,000 nautical miles, including some of the worlds most treacherous waters. Crews sail day and night on legs of the race that can last as long as three weeks.

As the media crew member, Ross will document the Mar Mostros trek via photography, video and writing. Hell use the latest technology to send his updates to media outlets and racing websites. He is not permitted to assist in sailing. However, in addition to his media responsibilities, Ross will assist in a variety of duties, including food preparation.

Ross, who began his professional career as a photographer, has branched out into video as technology has progressed. He recently sailed on the 65-foot Vanquish as a member of the All-American Offshore Team during the Transatlantic Race 2011 and the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race. The Vanquish finished third in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Its definitely a lifes dream kind of situation for me, said Ross. Ever since the Volvo Ocean Race added the onboard media crew member position I knew its what I wanted to do, where I wanted to be. Everything I have been practicing the last few years, the video and the big boat sailing, it has been done to make sure I have all of the necessary skill sets to take this kind of a job on and do it the right way. Its an incredibly exciting opportunity to combine my love and passion for sailing with my professional talents, and to do it for a company as exciting as PUMA. I get to sail around the world on a cutting-edge boat with the sports most experienced sailors. Its never going to be easy, but I am really looking forward to the challenge.

A four-year member of the HWS sailing team, Ross helped the Colleges earn 14 ICSA Championship berths, including the 2005 Team Race and Coed Dinghy National Championships. A double major in economics and public policy, he spent a semester studying off campus in Washington, D.C. Ross turned his love of sailing and photography into a business, Amory Ross Images. His work has been featured on the cover of Sail, Sailing World, Seahorse International Sailing, and Yachting World.