10 THINGS I LEARNT PHOTOGRAPHING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

We enlisted the help of Matt Rousu to cover the World Championships in Lenzerheide. Here’s what he learnt:

1 Always have a back up lens and camera. Because even your 6 month old $4k lens will decide to die halfway through the event.

2 Anticipate the crowd to be twice as big as you think, which will allow you to get to the finish line to photograph Nino Schurter winning at home. (As it turned out, 15min wasn’t enough to wiggle through the 25000 people to even see him cross the line)

3 Realise that the specific B-zones set aside for official photographers will be jampacked of media all trying to get the same ‘hero shot’ as you. Therefore think outside the box a little.

4 Learn a few words of the local lingo, but not enough to understand that you’re in the way of a tourist taking photos (even when they raise their fists at you threateningly).

5 Learn how long the gondola takes (6 minutes) and time it correctly to be able to photograph a talented rider all the way down the track.

6 Get to the event a couple of days early to figure out the best quick options for dinner. I like to call it eaditing, a cross between editing and eating. You probably won’t have time to do both separately.

7 Learn to avoid large bodies of water if the Brits win a medal, otherwise you’ll be hounded to either jump “IN THE LAKE” or be thrown in by newly crowned Kade Edwards.

8 If planning to attend the DH afterparty, make sure you have short hair, otherwise you’ll end up with a ‘stylish’ new haircut.

9 Make sure to stay an extra day so you can attempt to ride the XCO course and actually realise how skilled the best in the world are.

10 Understand how lucky you are to be shooting the biggest event of the year with exclusive access and be grateful for it!