Cool Runnings
The highs of St Moritz.
Henry and Fleur have been working with the team out at St Moritz Tobogganing Club to capture the ultimate altitude adrenaline rush. Our crew are back from a month long stint in the birthplace of winter tourism. Henry Paisey has spent the last few weeks out in the Alps, capturing the Cresta Run with drone support from Fleur. Flying a Mavic Mini, and with permission from Engadin Airport, local authorities and the riders, Heny was able to capture this incredible sport, from above the peaks of the alpine resort.
The Cresta Run is a natural ice skeleton racing toboggan track in eastern Switzerland. Located in the winter sports town of St. Moritz, the 1.2125 km (0.753 mi) run is one of the few in the world dedicated entirely to skeleton. It was built in 1884 near the hamlet of Cresta by the Outdoor Amusement Committee of the Kulm Hotel and the people of St. Moritz.
“I’m working on the Cresta Run. It is a private club for men and women in St Moritz. It is steeped in history, it’s been going since before the First World War. It is probably the most exclusive club in the world. The membership is top tier. The run itself is the biggest ice sculpture in the world. It is independently made every year, there’s no concrete structure to support the ice and the run. My job every day is to create a day video – film the run, document what goes on and produce 2 videos for the evening so they can go into the bars for everyone to enjo. From some of the fastest rides in history to some of the biggest crashes anything can happen on the run within the working day.
It’s a beautiful location; the Engadin Valley within Switzerland. I feel very priveleged to have the job and the opportunity to do it. Currently a lot of British forces are here to compete. My last day will be the Inter-Services Race which is very competitive and very enjoyable.
This being my being my fourth year, it’s been my first year with a drone. I’ve been able to actually use it. The drones have advanced and the club’s history with drones has been negative. Back in the day people used to build their own drones, an old videographer brought their drone to the club and crashed it into the run which was a big compromise, so it’s actually been the first time in a long time that drones have been used and I’ve been able to use the drone successfully most days, when weather permits.
Getting there with a view of the run as well allows riders to assess their lines. It is probably one of the most excitable, enjoyable amateur sports on the planet and it really is one of a kind. And actually being able to film it with a drone and get that aerial birds’ eye view is very unique. The response from that has been really good, I get about 3 comments a day on average from people mentioning the drone footage, and how it is beneficial to riding but also to their evening when they enjoy seeing it in the bar which is refreshing because it’s great and obviously it increases the production value of the run videos. It’s been positive so far.
Thankfully Crows Nest Films has supported me in my endeavour to get the drones on the run and do it safely, properly and professionally. The Samedin Airport has also been really helpful. Ringing them every day, they’ve been really informative, they’ve provided information about what’s going on in the skies. They’ve also been really prompt in responding to emails regarding the drone permits etc. Fleur has also day and night responded to messages and helped with informing me of various rules and regs which has been really helpful when questions need answering.”