from - http://www.dedicated-project.com
MATTERHORN FIRST DESCENT on a speedflyer
As we know Davide Tiraboschis main filming interests concentrates on snowboarding. David has a broad experience and passion in sports filming and he is frequently asked to work on many projects. His latest project, capturing Ueli kestenholz on the first ever speed flying descent off the Matterhorn, was a mission—for Ueli.
After losing a close friend, who was like Kestenholz, a speed riding pioneer, it took some time to decide whether to continue on the realisation of this vision of speed flying off the Matterhorn. Upon Ueli’s return from a snowboarding trip in Alaska, he was faced with the perfect opportunity of perfect snow conditions on the Matterhorn. It’s been 15 years ago, since the ‘Horu’ had so much snow on the North face. A perfect start for this ‘mission’!
“My motivation comes from different angles”, says Ueli: It was together with a friend that we decided to speed ride the Matterhorn; Switzerland’s landmark! A first descent on such a World renowned mountain really is a true challenge; the ultimate experience!
So, how can a father of a newborn son, take such a huge risk on this mountain, especially with the many dangerous aspects of this trip, such as the ‘run-in’? Is this insanity?
“It’s more like working the run stepwise out. If each of those steps work out, the take off can be launched safely”, says K. -Once in the Air, the flyer can be pulled off dangerous parts, and be set back into the face, to make a turn. In that case, it was the first turn at the Eiger north face, ever.
“An easier option would have been to fly from a lower area, but the conditions looked good: No wind at all on top of the Matterhorn, that morning”.
On top of the summit ridge, the start crew belayed this ski flyer, so he was able to build a patch of snow, to enfold his glider. On the 20th May at 9 AM, the wing was pulled, history was written. Hey man, we are all glad, that you made it down there safely.
All Content © 2024 Speed-Flying.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclosure | Powered by Drupal