St. Pölten, 2016
My first trip to St. Pölten was in 2009. It was shortly after my journey around the world with Chris McCormack. It was my first own film project. Chris and I had decided in Kona 2008 that I should accompany him to do a little video story about him. But that’s not part of this story.
In 2009 Chris won the St. Pölten race. In 2011 we both came back. It was after Chris’ 2nd world champion title in Hawaii. At this time the St. Pölten race was different. The Austrian agency »Triangle« was in charge of the organization. They still held the license of the race. It all felt like a big family meeting there. Stefan Petschnig and his band played at the awards. It was really fun, an event in a very casual relaxed atmosphere.
Meanwhile the event has grown into different dimensions. The big football stadium that got built a few years ago changed the venue a lot, no finish line in the cosy old sports arena anymore, when the athletes ran their last meters into the old arena, an incredible atmosphere. It felt a bit like a little Frankfurt.
Yvonne van Vlerken was racing in St. Pölten during all these years. Since I am living in Vienna, from which St. Pölten is only a stone’s throw away, to drive to there and see Yvonne was a question of honor… Then since last year, since Andi Boecherer, whose career took up speed so beautifully, comes to St. Pölten too, I have one more good reason to grab my camera, jump in the car and go on the road to St. Pölten.
This year it was great to be there. I left from Vienna at 5:00am, parked the car, took my camera, crossed the parking lot half asleep, and, lucky me, bumped into Andi who was warming up on the wind trainer, laid-back as he usually appears. What a happy incident, because here it was, the beginning of my video story …
It was a hot day in spring that felt like the first summer day. I strolled around with my camera all on my own focused on good images. I hope the video clips will correspond the great results of the race. Andi Boecherer won and defended last year’s title and Yvonne van Vlerken came in 2nd after an exciting sprint finish against Anja Beranek.
And here is the 1st clip from St. Pölten.
*Chris McCormack
**Andi Boecherer
