Vip Snow Queen Trophy and Ski World Cup

The official photography of the Ski World Cup race, and experience from the other World Cup races

As a photographer and reporter I have been part of SQT ski race since it's very beginning, when being known as "Golden Bear" in 2005. All started because of Skijanje.hr needs, which was extended with engaging my team in social networks and web page management for Croatian Ski Association (CroSki).  After a tragic event in 2009. when official CroSki photographer Renco Kosinožić died, I took place as a chief of photographers for the biggest single sports event in Croatia - Audi FIS Ski World Cup „Vip Snow Queen Trophy“ Sljeme/Zagreb. This position also meant place in organizing committee for Sljeme's races, so since then I am in charge for all domestic and foreign accredited photographers (in total more then 200). As a chief I have to be sure that all of them are in time informed about all novelties regarding race. Also in cooperation with press office I assign photo bibs for race course, with race director I choose photo positions on the course (that doesn't obstruct racers, corridors for TV cameras or banners visibility on race track). I also manage protocol in all public events for the race and make sure that excellent photos each year find their way to numerous media in the world.

As every other job this one also has it's ups and downs. It's not
uncommon that number of requested bibs is more than maximum allowed (40), so it's very important besides photo skills to have social and psychological skills as well. On the race day chief of photographers is the first and the last one on the race course. Weather conditions are very often harsh and unpredictable and vary from sun to the rain, snow or extreme cold. Gear on the course is crucial and sometimes lifesaving. For example photographers are not allowed to enter ski course without correct pair of crampons. For safety reasons only monopods are allowed and other potentially dangerous equipment such as backpacks or skis must be kept outside the fence, to avoid skier crashing into them during race. Besides running photo office and official photographing of races for Croatian Ski Association, I had opportunity to photograph numerous races in FIS Alpine Ski World Cup  This includes Kranjska Gora and Maribor (SLO); Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Madonna di Campiglio, Bormio (ITA); St. Moritz, Lenzerheide, Wengen (SUI); Flachau, Kitzbühel, Schladming, Lienz, Sölden (AUT); München and Garmisch Partenkirchen (GER); Beaver Creek (USA), Sochi (RUS), Whistler (CAN) etc. All these years I had a chance to witness key moments in building world ski history, like winning olympic and world championships medals by Ivica Kostelic, and also one of the biggest sucess in Croatian ski sports - winning Big Crystal Globe in 2011. in Swiss Lenzerheide.