Drone Pilots Capture Winter Olympic Action
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Up on a tower that overlooks the breathtaking Cortina downhill course, there’s someone whose role is as vital to the competition as that of renowned skiers like Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson.
Meet Martin Bochatay, the drone camera operator expertly navigating the narrow passage of the iconic Tofana schuss, situated between towering walls of Dolomite rock.
He’s part of a dedicated team piloting buzzing drones that glide closely behind Olympians, delivering mesmerizing visuals to television viewers during the Milan Cortina Games.
“In my mind, I’m not just flying a drone. I’m right there with the skiers,” Bochatay explained. “It’s an immersive experience. They can’t see us, but I feel like I’m right there alongside them. You become the drone.”
Drone cameras have exploded in popularity for capturing the exhilarating speeds and unique perspectives of athletes like skiers, luge competitors, snowboarders, and ski jumpers at these Olympic Games.
Frank Del Duca, a U.S. bobsledder and the flag bearer, remarked, “The skill of those drone pilots is just phenomenal. It offers a really unique perspective.”
Some viewers have commented on the hum of the drones, raising concerns about whether it distracts the athletes during such crucial moments. However, Norwegian downhill skier Kajsa Vickhoff Lie isn’t worried about that.
“No, you might hear them at the start, but you don’t notice them while skiing,” she stated.
The drones themselves are small and can fly at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Their introduction to Alpine skiing was less than graceful, stemming back to an incident over a decade ago when a larger drone nearly crashed into the legendary Austrian skier Marcel Hirscher during a slalom event.
Fast forward to today, and these drones are lightweight—around half a pound (250 grams)—and incredibly agile.
Guidelines ensure that they don’t overtake the athletes and mandate a safe distance from competitors.
Each drone is outfitted with two cameras: one high-quality camera operated by the TV crew below the course, and another lower-quality one that pilots use for navigation through goggles.
Bochatay explained how the production team can adjust settings like brightness independently. “They can manage things like balance without us needing to do anything,” he noted.
Piloting the drones involves using a remote control that requires both hands, featuring controls for pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle. “It’s all about controlling those four elements simultaneously,” he added.
There’s also a logistical challenge: the drone batteries need constant changing, which can be tricky in cold weather. A quick-change “pit stop crew” is essential between runs.
The focus for Olympic broadcast teams has been on highlighting the stunning venues while providing an athlete’s point of view. The International Olympic Committee is thrilled with the results, though the experience can induce motion sickness for some viewers.
Pierre Ducrey, the IOC’s sports director, shared, “Watching the downhill, I almost felt nauseous. The proximity we achieve with this new broadcasting method is remarkable.”
U.S. bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’m not concerned about the drones, but I did find myself a bit queasy while watching some luge footage.”
For Lie, the Norwegian skier, the drones add a fascinating element to the spectators’ experience, providing a clearer look at the impressive speeds on display.
