Winning Columbia Ride Courchevel, Heli Filming!!!

It was time again for the Columbia Ride in Courchevel, a riding and filming contest that Scottish riders Jamie and Gavin Mackay and myself were invited to. We arrived in Courchevel 2 days before the comp to scout some lines before filming. Conditions were once again less than ideal. It had rained almost to the top for a couple of days before. The only snow that was still remotely intact was in the shade. We were very sceptical about where we could shoot over the next week. The temperature over the next 2 days slowly rose so we were able to film a few small lines and drops in spring like conditions. The resort had estimated 6cm on the second day of the comp. When we woke up the next morning we were amazed to find it had snowed 20cm in the town. With the snow still going strong and high winds at the top we went to the trees for some cover. The snow was really deep in places and we got some great shots of tree skiing and small pillow lines. We went to sleep that night with extremely high expectations of the next day, so much of what the guys wanted to ski would now be possible! The next day was filled with true big mountain lines and big drops with inverts involved. We had also heard that we would get some heli shooting time! After an hour of Jamie and Gav waiting at the top of what I thought were truly terrifying lines the heli finally arrived. We all got into position and Jamie dropped first. His line was going to be a very technical one that involved dropping 2 areas of cliffs that led into a band of 30, to 80ft rock faces. After dropping the first rock the sheet he landed on slid away from him, he managed to stay above it and it all slid below him, he continues while the heli buzzed above him and I kept rolling. As he dropped of the second band his landing platform once again ripped out and began to carry him down towards the 80ft section of rock that had more clearance than would be possible to make. Luckily just before the drop he managed to get his edges in and make a turn towards the other side where he finished the line with a 30fter into a clean open area. Gavin was next to drop. His line began with a few big open turns that led into an enormous double cliff drop into a chute with another mandatory drop beneath it. The footage from the helicopter shows this world class line perfectly and is without a doubt the best shot we have ever captured. The following 2 days of the competition were just as exciting with many massive lines and technical airs. After the one night of editing we had on the final day to produce the movie we were mentally and physically exhausted. We tried to rest a bit before the screenings but it never really worked. 8 movies were produced, some featuring world class athletes Manu Geidet, Thomas diet and Seb Collomb Gros. The standard was extremely high but our movie came on last and received a variety of gasps and cheers from the large crowd at the local cinema. Prize giving was 30 minutes later at le kalico bar, after the 3rd and 2nd places were given to the French and Austrian teams it was all or nothing. The anticipation was tremendous and as our names were called out over the microphone we were ecstatic! We jumped up onto the podium to a massive applause! After spraying litres of champagne and alcohol over the crowd and each other we were still shocked and delighted with the results. It was an amazing and emotional week that gave us a great experience, a huge amount of top level footage for the new film and 6000 euros in cash! It was the best 7 days filming of my life! Thanks to Jamie and Gavin for the whole thing!

To watch our winning video go to http://www.courchevel.com/rideweek/editorial.php?Rub=53
And click on the UK team video!
Enjoy, there is much more of that which will be in the film!
Nic