Cut Media Unveils Daring Single Take FPV Drone Run at Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo

Cut Media is excited to showcase the first ever single-take FPV drone full run at Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo. Following urban downhill legend, Tomáš Slavík and filmed in one continuous shot, the video pushes technological boundaries and encapsulates the speed and raw intensity of the Valparaíso downhill route, notorious for its daring man-made obstacles and nail-bitingly narrow staircases.

Tasked with making the impossible possible, Red Bull Media House set Cut Media the challenge of capturing the energy and high-speed action at Red Bull Valparaíso, one of the longest-running urban downhill races in the world. 

Archie Hawkes, social content producer at Red Bull said: “Trying to bring a new perspective to an event known for its iconic POV runs was always going to be a huge challenge. Luckily in Cut Media we found a crew that did not shy away from the unknown and whose creative thinking turned us on to the incredibly talented Dutch Drone Gods. Unrivalled technical ingenuity paired with top of the game piloting skills; we finally had a set up that would give us the chance to achieve something most mere mortals could only dream of. In a tale of man and machine, both rider and pilot had to be flawless to tackle the notorious streets of Valparaiso. The FPV team were incredible and Cut Media perfectly captured the frantic energy of the event, the crushing pressure of flying in tricky conditions and the eager anticipation of everyone to see that final shot.”

The decision to use FPV drones allowed for complete freedom of movement in every direction, something not possible with conventional stabilised drones. FPV drones capture the speed and intensity of sports action like nothing else. Flown using video goggles, the viewer is offered a new dynamic perspective and a truly immersive viewing experience. While many have filmed at Valparaíso before, none have succeeded in shooting a single-take FPV full run from start line to finish  – a result of creative ambition and pushing technology to its limits. 

Collaborating with the Dutch Drone Gods,  Ralph (Shaggy) Hogenbirk and Thoma de Koster – innovative creators of new drone technology – there were numerous obstacles to overcome, not least signal challenges. This was tackled through the use of multiple highly directional antennas. In addition, a second drone with a signal booster was utilised to pick up the video signal from the FPV and relay it back to the pilot's goggles. The team then faced the added pressure of switching between signals, in the hope that at least one of them was working at all times. 

The hazardous 2km route presents a variety of other challenges, including sharp corners, steep drops and hundreds of stairs, including the famous Boccaccio staircase, measuring 240 metres in length. From navigating tight buildings to dodging overhead cables, the project is a stunning feat of technology and meticulous logistical planning.

Scott Marshall, executive producer said: “We love a challenge – that’s how we’ve created so many hugely successful projects with Red Bull over the years, by taking on ambitious work and getting stuck into making the concept a reality. This project was great, not just as we expanded into presenter-led content, but for turning an idea that loads of experts said would never work into an edge-of-your-seat piece of content.”

Jonny Ashworth, director said: “When Redbull came to us with the challenge of following a rider top to bottom at the world's biggest urban downhill race with an FPV drone, the Dutch Drone Gods were so up for the challenge. It was a really cool process to document and coming away with the successful shot feels amazing''.

Tomas Slavik, Red Bull athlete said: "There were so many things against us that day but walking away with this incredible shot was a big win for us all. Valparaiso is definitely the most difficult course for urban downhill riders, full of corners, obstacles and cables. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it is for a drone pilot to follow the route and capture footage at such speed - it is just unreal. 

“It was a very special experience, we were sharing the trail and I could hear Shaggy’s drone right behind me the whole way, almost touching my back, even on the narrow streets, going through the house and just smashing it down the road at 70km/h - a true wingman.”

Taking off in the early 2000s, urban downhill mountain bike racing has astonished crowds for years, with high profile events taking place across Europe and South America. First raced in 2010, Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo follows riders from all over the world through the narrow streets of the UNESCO registered port city of Valparaíso, Chile, famed for its striking landscape and colourful cliff-top homes.