Sports

The latest news from Sydney-based photographer Richard McGibbon as he travels up and down the East coast of Australia covering athletes on adventures and high-action sports events and races.

Benjamin Herbert, Snowboarder

Benjamin Herbert, Snowboarder

Ben Herbert, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Ben Herbert, powder turn, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Australian born Ben Herbert is a dedicated board rider. Whether its on the big peaks of Alaska or the pounding surf of the Mexican pipeline in Puerto Escondido he is always pushing himself to go bigger and better. His travels in search of adventures have taken him all over the world but it is the Austrian town of Innsbruck that he has come to call home.

Date of Birth:
01.10.1973

Nationality:
Australian with an EU passport

Ben Herbert, Langen, Austria

Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.

Home Mountain:
I live in Innsbruck and have the Regio card which offers access to a number of great mountains. Arlberg has been home for many years, as well as the Zillertal, so as a home mountain goes I have a huge backyard. Let’s just say Tyrol.

Sponsors:
Black Flys Eyewear, Never Summer Snowboards, Beyond Snowboard Bindings, Berghaus Clothing, Pull-in Underwear

Favourite board:
I love the never summer boards, they are so responsive and reliable. I’d say my 163 wide is my allrounder,and 168,or the rounded pin 172 for the deep powder days or the steep long lines.

Favourite spot:
Favourite spot is hard to answer. Anywhere in steep waist deep powder with friends around.

Ben Herbert, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

Ben Herbert tracking the untracked, Sonnenkopf, Austria.

How did you get involved in snowboarding?
I was living in Colorado in a place called A-Basin and it was freeriders playground. I was skiing at the time. I had a friend come from Australia and convince me to try the board and, well, never really looked back. After the season I then went to Europe and worked in St Anton, also a freeriders heaven, and fell in love with snowboarding.

Favourite Country:
When I’m not here in the mountains I’m always thinking of surfing somewhere warm and exotic ,the last years were spent in sumatra and .phillipines ,i enjoy the ocean very much,diving ,spear fishing ,and surfing .also in the mtns .biking ,climbing and rafting.

Influences:
I’ve been inspired by many great people from all corners of the globe; Chris McAlpine, Russell Holt, Brodox, Steve Trainor, Jeremy Jones, Tom Burt, Nicolas Muller, Alaskan Heli-skiing Company, Cats Trading, Tommy Brunner(RIP) and my awesome girlfriend Chistl.

Ben Herbert, Langen, Austria

Ben Herbert tearing through the trees near Langen Am Arlberg,Austria.

Motivations:
I get highly motivated when planning trips for each year. I love to travel and to combine this with the love of snowboarding is only a bonus.

Best Moment:
Too many to try to describe. Dropping into my first line in Alaska was exhilarating and words cannot express it. Everyday in the powder with friends are some of the best days of my life. Being on the mountain and sharing these awesome experiences with friends is priceless……cheers .

Worst Moment:
Injuries have and will always be a pain in the ass. I had a friend who broke his back many years ago. I was first on the scene and it was heavy. After two operations he was told by doctors he would not walk again,although the operation was successful. After 15 months he was walking again and after a few years was back on the board and surfing. For sure one of the worst moments I’ve experienced but with a happy ending.

Last Words:
I’ve enjoyed being in the mountains most with motivated people with the same interests and willing to push the limits,its been a pleasure. Thanks.

Click here to see photo gallery for Ben Herbert

Black Flys Never Summer
logo-berghaus Beyond Snow
Posted by Richard in Portraits, Skiing
Spring Ski Sessions

Spring Ski Sessions

Spring time has arrived in St Anton which means its back-country kicker time. The weather has been warm and our generous snow-pack from the season is disappearing rapidly. The warm slushy conditions has made for some great kicker sessions. The kickers have been built up around St. Christoph Am Arlberg. It’s a great slope for building on. It catches the afternoon sun and has some great views down the valley and over the town below.

The next few days are supposed to hold a bit of rain which means some downtime from the mountain and a chance to catch up with a few projects which I have had planned for sometime now. 

Posted by Richard in Skiing, Snowboarding, What's going on, 0 comments
Candide Thovex

Candide Thovex

 

Candide Thovex, Cab 900 Stuben Am Arlberg, Austria

Candide Thovex, Cab 900 Stuben Am Arlberg, Austria

Over this last week I have had the pleasure of shooting the talented Candide Thovex. Candide was here in the Arlberg for about 1 week to do some filming for his new project Candide Kamera. The majority of the days were snowfilled powder days as the snow continues to fall here. A couple of days were spent out filming and shooting in Sonnenkopf and the rest at the deep snow paradise of Stuben.

For the blue sky days the Stuben gap jump was built up by Nick Francke of Empire Parks. Once again a big thanks goes to Skye Darden of Line Skis.

 

 

Posted by Richard in Skiing, 0 comments
Shooting with Verse Films

Shooting with Verse Films

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting with some of Europe’s top up and coming newschool skiers when they came to the Arlberg to film with the Finnish company Verse Productions. The three riders included Austrian Patrick Hollaus and the Fins Jussi Mononen and Roope Leppänen. Shots were taken in playing in the powder in Sonnenkopf  and on a backcountry kicker in Zürs. Below are a few shots taken over the week. I am looking forward to shooting some more with them when they return here to the Arlberg.

Be sure and watch out for the new film from Verse Productions and produced by the talented Lasse Nevantausta. It will be called Faceshot and should come out early next winter.

Many thanks go to Skye Darden from Line Skis for lining the whole shoot up. Cheers Skye.

Posted by Richard in Skiing, 0 comments
Ad for Icelantic Skis

Ad for Icelantic Skis

A new advert for Icelantic Skis  has gone into the German Magazine Skiing. It is a full page ad using a photo of British skier Sam O’Keeffe jumping an icefall in Zürs, Austria.

Icelantic Skis, Austria

Sam O’Keeffe taking a drop for Icelantic Skis in Zurs, Austria

Posted by Richard in Published, Skiing, 0 comments
Nick Hayter, Skier

Nick Hayter, Skier

British born Nick Hayter is an all-rounder on skis. He is unafraid to step up to the steep technical lines and big drops but it is his smooth fluid style that sets him apart from his British peers.

Nick Hayter St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Nick Hayter coming off the top, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria.

Date of Birth:
05 / 07 / 79

Nationality:
British

Home Mountain:
St. Anton Am Arlberg

Sponsors:
Scott, Sweet Protection

Favourite skis:
The Scott Stunt

Nick Hayter, Stuben am Arlberg, Austria

Nick Hayter entering the steep terrain off the back of Stuben.

How did you get involved in skiing?
I started skiing when I was 2 on family holidays to Switzerland. I didn’t have much say in it but have loved it ever since. I am very happy my parents got me into skiing though I am not sure that they are so happy about it anymore.

Inspirations:
Anyone who skis better than me or those who have been successful and made this lifestyle work for them

Plans for the future:
In the future I want to be able to ski more technically difficult terrain, stay safe, have fun and enter more competitions

Nick Hayter, St Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Nick Hayter launches off the backside of Rendl near St. Anton A.A.

Motivation:
I’m not sure what motivates me really. I guess I just love being up early and getting to ski all day with my friends. Always seems like the right thing to be doing.

Favourite spot:
A secret spot in the Arlberg, Austria.

Nick Hayter, St. Christoph Am Arlberg, Austria

Nick Hayter, St. Christoh Am Arlberg, Austria

Favourite country:
Switzerland is my favourite country because it’s where I have my earliest ski memories

Best moment:
It would have to be the days that you are not so sure about. Like the days when you think it has only snowed a little bit and you end up finding a proper little powder stash.

Nick Hayter leaping in Bachsiete in St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austri

Nick Hayter, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Worst moment:
Avalanches or injures. Both make me ask questions about the sport

Click for photographic gallery of Nick Hayter

 
Posted by Richard in Skiing, Sports