Thrills & Spills

San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas

2011-03-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

Flew from Austin to Houston to Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas then shuttled to San Cristobal de las Casas, a quaint colonial town in the highlands of Chiapas. Checked into Posada Real de Chiapas, not far from the town zocalo. Light was nice so strolled around shooting into the night. Our group's first meeting/dinner will be late tonight.

A few views of the main cathedral near the zocalo and around town.

Super Bowl XLV

2011-02-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Per the NFL, this image is not for sale for personal use. My apologies to all.

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Day ??

2010-02-26T12:02:00.000-08:00

Lost track of time, but I think I left off somewhere around Tues. Monday was really slow and I caught up with editing, emails, etc. Bought a few things for my daughters. That kind of stuff. Visited the Weasel House tent where local ski course workers, known as "Weasels" get together for beer and food and story telling every afternoon after the racing is done. They got their name from years of working the "Weasel" turn on the downhill course. Now all the course workers known as the "Weasels". See NYT story here:

Pictured here is Weasel exec Cindy Burton, NYT reporter John Branch, and NYT photographer Doug Mills.

Tues morning was crammed full of nordic, team nordic combined and ladies biathlon, or as I call it, chics on skis with guns. On the way up, my host Eric Frappier had built this carving house for the local Squamish Indians to show how they carve totem poles. This was my "assignment" for my most generous host to thank him for all he has helped me with.

First stop was nordic team jumping. I shot the first practice jump from the stairs. This photo of the landing area workers shows how steep the hill is.

Then shot the real jump from a profile angle with a little pan blur. Caught these two USA jumpers in flight.

Headed to the biathlon course next door, a short hike away. The event was under way. Team relay event were each competitor cross country races around the course, the shoots prone from 50 meters at a silver dollar size target, ski the course, then shoot standing at a target the size of a small burger. Most good shooters nail each one in about 20 secs. The crowd cheers each time the shooter hits the target. It was a really cool event and the first time I've seen it.

After the event there was a group of students from Dartmouth in body paint and bikinis. Funny picture. They said that more winter Olympic athletes from from Dartmouth than any other college in the US.

Then off to another course another short hike away for the final cross country race of nordic combined. I had shot here before and just went to the same shooting positions. The USA and Austria exchanged first and second place throughout the race. Each competitor does two laps around the course.

It really looked like the USA was going to gold medal, but the Austrians were just too strong in the cross country.

I had photographed Todd Lodwick in Chicago last year at the USOC media summit and he was a great guy. Had his little girl waiting with mom in the stands. Congrats to the US guys for the historic silver medal!

Ended the day with a quite walk in the woods back to the shuttle bus with this cute Japanese couple.

Few words of thanks!

2010-02-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

No particular order and I hope I don't forget anyone.

Thanks to Canon and CPS for their support at the Olympic Games. Thanks Bob Malish for your support! Jim Vail and crew have taken really good care of all shooters here in Whistler. Repairs and loans have been a blessing. The new Mark IV worth every penny.

Thanks to Jennifer Mull at Backwoods in Austin, TX for her support. The new Icebreaker underwear is amazing! Wade was right. You can wear this stuff for days without washing and it doesn't stink. I can attest!!! Look forward to my presentation upon my return. So much happens behind the scenes here to get the pictures you see.

Thanks to Jen Brown at Beaver Creek Resort, Mary Helyn Kirwan at Telluride, and Mike Hess at The Peaks Resort in Telluride for you support of my trip through Colorado shooting World Cup events! You guys have a great selection of Olympic photos coming your way when I get home!

Thanks to my good friend Doug Mills from the New York Times for his sofa in Whistler. Always great working with you amigo!

Thanks to Corbis Images for pushing my images out there around the world.

Thanks to Competitive Cameras in Dallas, TX for getting me all those last minute "things" (including that Mark IV) before heading to Canada.

Thanks to my good friend Tim Osburn, my Texas Water Safari team captain and workout partner, who is getting ready for the "World's Toughest Footrace" in the Sahara Desert!

Congratulations to my good friend Elizabeth Kruetz for winning 1st place sports stories in World Press Photo for her Lance Armstrong images. Way to go Liz!!! We all miss you here in Whistler!

Last but not least, thanks to my host Eric Frappier for his hospitality and humor. It's keeps me going and laughing for sure!

To all my family back home, love you!

Day 10, Men's combined and two-man bobsled

2010-02-21T22:26:00.000-08:00

Again, too tired to write much. Checked out the downhill course and felt like shooting higher on the course nearer to the start. The morning light hit the "Love Shack" jump just as the hot skiers took off.

Most all wire and some agency photogs bring their laptop with them up on the mountain and file pictures right after taking them. Some are tethered directly to a wireless device that sends the image directly to an editor as the picture is being taken. Crazy!

Had gone to two-man bobsled yesterday and found some cool angles to shoot at dusk. Right about 5:55pm the light is balance between the track lighting and the light in the dusk sky. It's one of my favorites now.

Day 9, Long hill ski jump

2010-02-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

Getting behind on the posts, sorry. Corbis wanted some pics of Polish jumpers so perfect excuse to get off the mountain for a change of pace. Got there early to exchange by green Photo armband for a silver Pool armband and shoot from under the jump take off.

I blew off the remote shooting up toward the jumpers with rings for the scenic shot with mountains. Like the angle much better.
Timing is critical but you get it down pretty quickly.

Then moved down the stairs for the second round of jumps for a head on shot once the sun came out. Made for nice sidelight and ounce off the snow of the landing hill. The Japanese guy looked pretty cool. The Japanese used to rule this event. Now looks like the Austrians do.

This cool judges house, I think they call it the birdhouse looks funny with the windows and the guys heads sticking out.

A local high school band drumline made for some good entertainment after the jumping was finished.

Day 8, Women's Super Combined

2010-02-18T15:27:00.001-08:00

I'm very tired so won't get into too much writing. Got midnight bus out of snowboard halfpipe last night, putting me at the MPC at 1:15am. Next bus to Whistler left at 3am. I was pissed and tired so laid down on the sidewalk. Bus person woke me up when the bus arrived (I couldn't really sleep due to all the noise and talking). Slept during the two hour ride to Whistler. Went into media center and then over to Doug's condo to sleep another 30 min. We got up at 6am and were on the top of the lift at 7am. Sun had not risen yet. Went to start house and shot laying down by the time clock and OBS camera of skiers breaking out of the start gate. Anyway, here are some of the pics. I'm going to get some rest!

Day 7, Vonn and White

2010-02-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Big long day today. Two of the hype stars of the Olympics competed and performed as expected. Beautiful day on the mountain, sunny and cold. Hiked up from the finish to the bottom of "Hot Air" for a clean jump action of Vonn.

Lots of crashes at the jump, but I was too tight with the 600mm to follow them down. The crashes looked great from the finish, but what are you going to do! Lindsey came by and blew the competition away.

Lindsey and Julia Mancuso did gold and silver respectively. Mancuso did a cute little dance on the podium during the flower ceremony.

I stuck around until Lindsey finished all her interviews and got her with excited fans. The monkey is off her back and I expect her to do more of the same.

Ladies' combined tomorrow with 9:30am start for the downhill portiion. Meaning I won't get much sleep since I am writing this at Cypress Mountain and still have three hours before I get to Whistler!

The media coordinated a special direct shuttle from Whistler to Cypress Mountain. Still took two hours, most of which I was sleeping! Still had my ski boots on from the women's downhill. Thought I'd be able to hike up the side of the halfpipe with crampons. I was told, however, that photographers on the sides must have been in place since 11:30am! It was 5pm. All those guys had not moved since then. I happily exchanged my ski boots and crampons for more comfortable hiking boots and shot from the bottom with a 600mm and 70-200 for jubo.

Thira, my daughter called me just before the men went off. It's her 10th birthday today! She sounded great and has been super busy with school and friends since I've been gone. Her bday party is Sunday after a Girl Scout function. I love that little girl so much!
Anyway, it's 1am and I still have a three hour shuttle bus back to the MPC and Whistler so here are a few more pics and I'm outta here.

Day 6, Ladies' SBX

2010-02-17T22:08:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the blog delay. Too much ground to cover. Made it down to Cypress Mountain with Doug Mills. Tough morning. We got to the hill in thick fog, only to be turned back due to wrong parking pass. No way around it, we headed to the MPC in town and caught a bus back up to where we had just been. Took three hours to make the one and half trip.

SBX and the halfpipe are right next to each other. Both requiring a herculean hike up countless stairs with the spectators to the stands and finish area. Cool Olympic rings made for a good pic with boarders flying through the air in front.

Lots of US and Canadian fans in the stands.

A dreadlock French dude from Eurosport made for a funny portrait.

Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones having a bad day. Gold medal favorite Lindsey Jacobellis blew a landing and went off course in her semifinal run and finished last in the heat, not even making the finals.

Maelle Ricker of Canada wins gold.

Day 5, Lindsey Vonn

2010-02-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

Immediately after the 30th men's downhiller went by, Doug and I packed our gear and hiked over to the women's course to shoot training. We skied down to "Hot Air" jump right above the finish. I had checked it out the day of the first training run that was cancelled. Shot Lindsey catching air, but something didn't look right.

Later in the mixed zone she commented to the media that it was too painful to "tuck" on the jumps. We hiked down to the finish and caught her talking to reporters.

She walked off with her husband and we wonder if she will compete or not. If the weather pushes back the runs, she may have a chance.

Day 5, Men's Downhill

2010-02-15T18:17:00.000-08:00

Up at 4:30am in my place in Squamish. Actually made it there the night before by a decent time. My host Eric heated up some pasta dish with some hot tea and I was sawing logs the minute I hit the futon. His dog, forget his name, started barking at 5am at something outside. Eric came in and said it was only a bear trying to get into the trash. Nice! That will make those late night walks up to his house after the bus stop lots of fun!

Got to Whistler Creekside at 7am and realized that I had forgotten one important thing, my 500mm lens! Doug Mills to the rescue again. He lent me his. Great friends up here!!! Exchanged green armband for on course blue armband and took gondola up the mountain.

Skied into position to our "secret" spot, that was no longer a secret, but not too many of us there at least. The "dream team" guys offered us a platter of brandy-soaked fruit, bread, cheese and awesome spicy sausage. They have a whole stash of schnapps and wine for after the race!

Bode came down with his coach during inspection. Made for a nice pre-race photo.

Then we shot the first 30 racers. Defago, gold, Svindal, silver, Bode, bronze.

Day 4, 1500m short track

2010-02-13T23:57:00.001-08:00

Decided that Apollo Ohno would be better to shoot rather than more men's luge. Boy was I right! Got to the Pacific Coliseum in downtown Vancouver just in time for Ohno's semifinal. The pictures tell the story of the final. Pushing and pulling and a dramatic ending complete with a spectacular crash on the last turn!

Day 4, men's luge training

2010-02-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

Spent the night again at Doug Mills' condo. So much easier to wake up and go right there where you need to be. We were out the door at 7am as morning broke on the mountain.

The lights of the men's and women's downhill start houses visible through the clouds enveloping Whistler Mountain.

A quick ride up the gondola, slog through the snow and finally a shuttle bus to the sliding centre.

A wooden safety wall was built early this morning at turn #16, the site of yesterday's deadly crash.

Safety personnel also placed padding on all the steel posts along that stretch.

Doug and I posed for a goofy trackside photo while we shot wide angles of the competitors zooming by.

Day 3. Opening and memorial

2010-02-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

Was going to the luge track to try and shoot my luge cam picture when I heard of the crash and death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvi. Needless to say, it put a dark cloud on the day for everyone.

Ladies downhill training was cancelled for the second day in a row due to the wet snow. Going to get wetter and warmer next few days. Doubt they will hold men's downhill, but still have to show up early in case.

On a lighter note, Opening Ceremonies was broadcast in the village square on big screens. Folks were pumped and made good pics when the Canadian team came out.

A lot of sitting and waiting today. Have a feeling will be more of the same next few days.

Day 2. Women's Downhill training

2010-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

Got Day 1 finished late. My good friend Doug Mills of the NYT offered to put me up at his condo instead of trying to make it back to my place in Squamish. Good thing I did. Was in bed by 1030pm on his sleeper sofa in the living room with a fire going in the fireplace. Got up at 6am and at Whistler Creekside at 6:30am to pick up my on-course armband. On the lift before the sun came up!

Got on course as the skiers were inspecting the run. Followed Lindsey Vonn down as she checked her line. No one else following her shooting. Can't believe it!

The fog rolled in as the third forerunner came through forcing postponement, then eventually cancelling Thursday's run. Came down past the cool James Bond helicopter.

The sole of one of my hiking boots blew out. Had to talk to Canon in town and meet with Sports Illustrated, so I took the bus into Vancouver. Did some shopping and got new boots then hit the Canon/Nikon party at the Vancouver Aquarium. Highlight was the jellyfish tank. We were all shooting the beautiful creatures moving through the water.

The Canon boys offered to take me back to Whistler. They jammed me in the back of their SUV with all the giveaway packs they could cram. I'll post that when I get their pics back. I was so jammed in that falling asleep was pretty easy since I couldn't move anything during the 2 hour ride up. They offered the sofa in their humble mansion pictured here. Awesome!

Thanks boys!

Day 1. Men's Downhill training, Whistler

2010-02-10T20:15:00.001-08:00

Got up at 4:30am. Took longer than I wanted to get all my equipment together for the day. Eric offered to take me to the main bus stop and arrived just in time for the 6am to Whistler. Skis, boots, camera gear. Bus driver was kind enough to drop me at Whistler Creekside, site of the alpine events. Met Alpine Photo Chief Rick Wilkings for distribution of on-course armbands and lift tickets. My good friend Doug Mills of NYT and I were one of the first in line and got what we needed including an on-site locker for skis and boots. Will save us the hassle of lugging that junk around all day!

Doug and I took the gondola up and skied down to the halfway point, got on course and scouted out the possible shooting positions. I don't know, but I didn't see any that jumped out at me as anything great. Several other photographers had skied down from the start house and didn't like it up higher either. We settled on a spot that my host Eric had recommended. It worked out fine.

Met jury member Peter Obernauer who lives in Kitzbuhel, Austria and runs the Hahnenkamm, the bad ass of the world cup circuit. Nice guy to know! Here he is pictured at left with course worker Richard Prokopanko who was handing out food from this tray of goodies. The course workers also had a large stash of wine and schnapps they were hitting later!

Training got off on time, but the fog came in about half way through. Course was on hold for several hours. Doug and I got out of there through a back trail and saved some time. Spent the afternoon editing and sending to Corbis.

Arrived at the Olympics!

2010-02-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

Spent the entire flights from Austin to DFW to Vancouver sound asleep to make up for my lack of it Monday night. Wish I had my camera out as we touched down. Vancouver was beautifully bathed in sunshine. Mountains rising up from the sea. Thousands of freshly cut logs packed in rows floating all along the waterfront. By the looks of it, logging is huge here.

Arrival went as smooth as any other Olympics. Wisked through immigration in special Olympic lines. Caught a glimpse of the two Lindsey's, skier Lindsey Vonn and snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis at luggage claim. Also at arrivals was my good friend Nuccio DeNuzzio, photograper for the Chicago Tribune and another Olympic veteran. We all call each other "Mo", as in "Hey Mo!"

Decided to head up to Whistler sooner than later and glad I did. Took the entire afternoon and evening to get my credential validated, find the Whistler Media Center, find how to get a lift pass, find out where to go Wed morning, talk to the USA luge folks, and finally, find the place where I was dropped off to begin with. Not easy lugging around a heavy backpack, one roller duffel, one rolling case, and one heavy ass ski bag full of all my clothes and skis.

Caught the #78 BCT bus to Squamish where I am staying. Easy enough. My host, Eric Frappier picked me up, took me to McDonalds for some not so fast food. Found Eric's home advertised on Craigslist. $600 for the entire Olympics! Sweet! Nice room, access to the entire house (kitchen, laundry, internet and his truck if I need it) No one locks their homes here. Keeps the keys in his ignition. The only thing he worries about are bears! Bear-proof garbage cans here! Be a drag if they figured out how to open a door and get in the house.