AN EPIC UNDERTAKING BY NOELLE DE GUZMAN
Super League Hamilton Island pushed the envelope not just for triathlon race operations , but also set a new standard against which triathlon television coverage will now be compared . Behind the slick exterior were many moving parts that had to come together in a well-oiled machine to give the world the three-day spectacle millions tuned into .
“ Across the team we have some very significant experience and I will go as far as saying collectively the Super League Triathlon team is the most talented , credible , innovative and skilled team in all of triathlon ,” said Super League Triathlon Chief Marketing Officer Trent Taylor .
Apart from the executive team , there were also those involved in the execution of the race and its coverage . Ninety-three individuals comprised the on-site event staff working in coordination with Hamilton Island staff , Triathlon Australia officials , and members of local triathlon clubs from Airlie Beach and Mackay .
Creating a world-class television product was key to Super League Hamilton Island ’ s success . From nothing more than a strategy and a vision , Taylor and team designed the look and feel of the show , integrated event timing and data programming into the graphics , conducted four production surveys on Hamilton Island , negotiated broadcast partners , coordinated international satellite feeds , and did rehearsals in Sydney before even landing on the Island for event week . The television team also included renowned director Gary Deans , who is also the director for The Voice , Australian Ninja Warrior , global broadcast director for Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix , and is the director of global broadcast for the Sydney New Year ’ s Eve celebrations .
“ We had fantastic ingredients : the world ’ s best athletes , three unique and action-packed race formats , an idyllic tropical paradise that hid a beast of a course , and temperatures that pushed athletes to breaking point ,” said Taylor . “ Television , and digital content is one of the key drivers of what makes Super League Triathlon stand out from the pack and we only had one chance to get it right from the get go .”
Executive event director Shane Smith agreed . Speaking from his over 22 years of experience in all aspects of the sport from being a professional athlete to operating large-scale events , Smith said the live television aspect of Super League Hamilton Island was a game-changer . “ Everything we did operationally had to compliment TV and as a team we had to constantly think how things would look to the viewer .”
Yet television coverage would be for nought without holding the races -- and each day ’ s race needed to go off without a hitch . Smith pulled together a team composed of professionals who had been involved in the sport for many years , and who he had worked with before on large projects . He said , “ As a leader , you are only as good as the team members around you . I knew the event was going to be very tough logistically and at times I would have to ask the team to work ‘ above and beyond ’ which every one of them did .”
Staging an event of this scale on an island off mainland Australia posed logistical challenges . Equipment needed to be transported across via barge , including metal barriers , banners , and other event paraphernalia as well as HD4 broadcast trucks , satellite and links trucks , camera motorbikes , and production vehicles . “ Working closely with Hamilton Island ’ s barge company made it
easier but the worry of items not arriving on time was always a concern for us , but it all worked out well in the end ,” said Smith .
They also needed to ensure race operations would not impact Hamilton Island ’ s normal operations as a holiday destination , which meant moving barriers twice a day to open and close roads , and deploying crew to redirect traffic . Even the design of the finish arch was meant to cause minimal pedestrian obstruction outside of race hours .
While Smith was on-course to ensure each day ’ s race went off smoothly , Taylor was in the broadcast booth overseeing how they would look to the rest of the world . “ It was long days for all crew as we produced a highly stylised live show each day and a raft of highlights packages during live programming across the Super League Triathlon website and social media platforms . The quick turnaround of the commercial hour highlights package was another element of the process on-island that kept the wheels turning into the small hours each night .”
Both television coverage and race execution centered around the stars of the show , the athletes . Taylor said , “ In the lead up to the event we were open with athletes about what we were trying to achieve with our television programming . Whether it was having a microphone put under their nose while transitioning from swim to bike , being interviewed straight after being eliminated , or having recovery times adjusted to suit television timing , our athletes took it all in their stride and showed the world how professional , talented and charismatic they are .”
Smith added , “ I really wanted them to feel a part of this production and I wasn ’ t afraid to ask them for their opinions on aspects of the event and then make any necessary changes . This created a great atmosphere between the staff , the television presenters , and the athletes .” The addition of an ice pool and inclusion of preferred beverages and food in the recovery area , and even the continuation of the third day ’ s racing despite torrential rains earlier in the day all resulted from consulting the athletes .
With more Super League Triathlon races on the horizon in locations around the world , the task is now how to replicate and improve on the inaugural event ’ s success .
From the operations side , Smith said key staff members in place at each event will help immensely . “ That way the event will always maintain the standard we set from the beginning . Ideally , we would work with local organisers and provide expert advice and support to deliver the best sporting experience possible for the athletes competing .”
Taylor envisions pushing the envelope even more to produce a compelling and engaging show . “ Super League Hamilton Island has now set the benchmark and we need to continue to strive to be even better ,” he said . “ There ’ s lots more to do with further graphics integration and live data from athletes , social media interaction from fans and viewers , POV cameras on bikes , underwater cameras , Spidercam and other new innovations . The proliferation of television content and television highlights across social and digital platforms is also of paramount importance so that no matter where you are , or on what screen you are , you can experience world-class content from Super League Triathlon .”
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