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A summit meeting between two Olympic champions took place in the Grindelwald-First winter sports region - and Kilchenmann was there!
The two Olympic snowboarding champions Iouri Podladtchikov and Gian Simmen teamed up for an extraordinary project: The 100 meter long and five and a half meter high halfpipe was illuminated with impressive projections after dark while the two snowboarders performed their spectacular tricks.
Gian Simmen and Iouri Podladtchikov have literally reached Olympus in their sporting careers: The two exceptional Swiss athletes have both won gold at the Olympic Games in snowboarding (halfpipe) - Gian Simmen in Nagano (1998), Iouri Podladtchikov in Sochi (2014). But beyond their sporting successes, the two Olympic snowboarding champions also have a lot in common. They still love snowboarding and are still enthusiastic about new challenges. If these are related to their passion, snowboarding, all the better. Six years ago, the two realized their first passion project on First: together with numerous young talents, they opened the halfpipe on the Bärgelegg. Six years after the opening, the two have returned to the Grindelwald-First snowpark to realize another unique project.
Spectacular tricks under changing light conditions
The halfpipe was illuminated with moving projections after dark, turning the spectacular jumps by Gian Simmen and Iouri Podladtchikov in front of the majestic north face of the Eiger into an impressive spectacle. As darkness fell, the pair not only had to concentrate on their spectacular tricks, but also cope with the constantly changing light conditions. All in the spirit of the Grindelwald-First - Top of Adventure destination.
The two halfpipe pros visibly enjoyed the unique ambience and motivated each other to give their best. The result is an extraordinary video that blurs the four elements and the boundary between dream and reality.
Visualization concept with partnership
As Jungfrau Railways' technical partner, Kilchenmann AG was responsible for the realization of the unique visualization concept with projection, lighting and pyrotechnics in the half-pipe. The result is a real masterpiece that bears witness to the craftsmanship of all those involved: "Illuminating a half-pipe is an enormous challenge, as the moving projections are not projected onto a straight surface, but into a curve," says Jann Schoch, Kilchenmann AG's technical project manager, describing the challenge.
The expertise of the now internationally active Bern-based communications technology company was therefore required. The combination of two surfaces with the curvature was merged live on site using innovative software, which guaranteed a unique visual experience. However, the idea was not as easy to implement as the end product now suggests, despite the software: "The climatic conditions with the night-time cold and the logistical challenges due to the location of the halfpipe made the event a showcase project for us," says Jann Schoch, looking back on the event.
Grindelwald-First / Bern-Kehrsatz, March 31, 2021
For further information:
- Christoph Hubacher, Head of Marketing & Communications Kilchenmann AG, tel. +41 76 314 66 28
- Kathrin Naegeli, Head of Corporate Communications Jungfrau Railways, tel. +41 33 828 72 00
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