A glimpse behind the scenes of the world championship

Interview #1

NAME: Reini Leitner
TITEL: Course director downhill

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am the course director of the downhill trail, which means I am responisble for the whole construction of the trail. Including the guarding, course design and cordoning off the A and B zones of the event. Moreover, I am responsible for the trail during the training and the race.

2. WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
The biggest challenge was the implementation of the new Riverdrop at the forest a little bit further down. We testet it a few times and also the feedback of the worldcup rides is really positive. I think we did really good work.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I'm looking forward to the raceday, which always include thrilling and tight decisions. And I'm looking forward to splendid impressions, which the whole world will be able to see.

Interview #2

NAME: Mark Hauser
TITEL: Course director cross country & E-MTB

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am the XCO and the E-MTB trail boss. This means I am responsible for the construction of the trails, the order of the materials, for the safety of the trail, the creation of the plans of the trails and the release of the trail for the purpose of training and the race.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The construction of the trail was the biggest challenge this year, because the trail is comletely new. However, because of the perfect cooperation of all involved employees we could accomplished this task. What was also a big challenge, was of course the insecurety because of Covid 19.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Of course I'm looking forward to the races! It has already been really thrilling to see the first races bike down the trails. The start of the XCO races (mass start) is always a special highlight for me!

Interview #3

NAME: Isabella de Lorenzo
TITEL: Overall organization & Covid-19 prevention

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the overall organization and especially for the Covid 19 prevention measures.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
This year there are many special challenges. However, we fought for the world chamionship to be carried out from the beginning on and we prepared ourselfs as best as possible. For example, we worked on proper Covid 19 measures for four different areas for weeks. The biggest challenge is to react to the permanent chaning external conditions and enforcements of the government. There is no security of planning and it could happen that a worked out plan could not be carried out this way. Then you have to start all over again.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to a week full of different events, eventhough it will be very special this year. Normally such an event is a real party, where the fans create a special atmosphere and the croud's enthusiasm prevails. However, in this special year, everything is a little different. But it is still important that the world championship can take place. The rides want to take part in races again and we want to organize races with the best possible safety measures.

Interview #4

NAME: Lukas Kraxberger
TITEL: Covid-19 prevention & overall assistance

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
My colleague Isabella and me, we are responsible for the Covid 19 measures. This includes the labeling of the event area with the Covid 19 preventions, the fencing-off of places where there could be masses of peolpe and the coordination of the process, should there be a positiv Covid 19 case. Furthermore, one of my tasks is the realization and help of the making of a Covid 19 prevention concept and I do also help with contact tracing. Before the word championship I helped at very different areas and also helped with the making off of a volunteer video, created content for the world championship website and the app and I supported the organizers in several tasks.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
Everything. It's important that everyone obeys the rules and all measures.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TOO?
I am looking forward to the world championship, which can hopefully take place as normal as possible, despite the insecurity of planning and the generally difficult year 2020. Everyone can watch the world championships at home (ORF Sport + or RED BULL TV). Furthermore, this event gives organizers hope that events can take place despite Covid 19. Eventhough many more measures are necessary and a massive additional expenditure.

Interview #5

NAME: Julia Grießner
TITEL: Volunteers

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am the boss of the area volunteers and catering. I organize the different volunteers and give them their tasks. Furthermore I organize, together with my colleague Erich Hofmeister, the catering for the volunteers.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
Due to the XCO world championship, it is really difficult to find volunteers, who are able to help also during the week and not only on the weekends.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I'm looking forward to seeing all the work finally paying off and the world championship can start. And I'm especially looking forward to positiv feedback from the volunteers.

Interview #6

NAME: Stefanie Aigner
TITEL: Partner & sponsor area

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I would be responsible for the partner and sponsor area. However, due to the stringent Covid 19 conditions, we have decided not to open this area. My tasks would have been the general coordination of this area, which means a correct procedure of the controlls of entrance and exit. Furthermore, I would have been responsible for the equipment in the RED BULL ES 300, I would have organized the catering (together with the hotel "Good Life Resort Leogang - Die Riederalm"), as well as it would have been my task to coordinate the serviceteam.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
One of the biggest challenge would be the controll of the entrance and the exit and the coordination and the keeping of the security preventions in the RED BULL ES 300.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I'm looking forward to a successful and funny world champoinship week with a superb team! 😊 #thebestcrew

Interview #7

NAME: Claudia Weitlaner
TITEL: Ceremonies

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the ceremonies. My tasks are the labeling of the trophies, for the flowers and the sparkling wine, the invitation of the guests of honour and the coordination of the ceremonies.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR AREA OF WORK THIS YEAR?
The handing over of the trophies: Can we hand over the prices directly or are they placed on a table and the riders have to take them on their own - can we give a handshake? At Sunday, Stefan Schnöll is my VIP at handing over the trophies, what is he allowed to do? Then from Wednesday on, there is a handing over of prices everyday after every race. This is going to be a very interessting challenge.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to beeing on stage together with the winners of the races and to congratulate them even without a handshake. :-)

Interview #8

NAME: Andrea Neumayr
TITEL: Catering

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the gastronomy and for the order of all toilet and shower containers.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
This year there is no real gastronomy. Another challenge is the order of the toilet containers and the transportable toilets for the marshalls on the trails, and especially how it is cleaned and regularely disinfected against Covid 19. Furthermore I think about the problem that the different teams (volunteers, teams, pr) do not meet each other.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to the whole team and that hopefully everything goes as planned. But together we can accomplish everything!

Interview #9

NAME: Jochen Wunsch
TITEL: Logistics

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the logistic of the camping place, the car park, the team area and the finish area.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The coordination of the fencing-off.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Despite state of emergency, trying to organize a cool event!

Interview #10

NAME: Monika Seer
TITEL: Anti doping

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for anti doping. My tasks are to prepare the different rooms for the anti doping controlls and during the events I am responsible for the anti doping controllers from CDAF and for the employees of the anti doping agency NADA. I also support them at the site.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The organization of the different rooms.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
That the world champoinships can take place, despite Covid 19.

Interview #11

NAME: Berrie van de Kolk
TITEL: TV

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for everything that has got something to do with TV. To regenerate an optimal broadcasting, many things are needed. A seperat TV compound must be organized, from where Red Bull Media House can work. Along the trails there are 37 differnt camera stations, either with a platform or without, which partly must be established. We need commentator boxes and a studio, which is outside and finally every little thing should be connected with a cable network. Without our technicans and carpenters, such a huge event would not be possible.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The majority of the downhill trails are known by us all. The know trail is really cool, however it is a big challenge for us. Also the XCO is a big challenge for us. The trail is completely new and we have no experience that we can rely on. However, our technicans and carpenters are pros, so I am of the opinion that we can manage everything.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to genious TV pictures of the world championships in Leogang, which will be seen in the whole world. :-)

Interview #12

NAME: Markus Unterweger
TITEL: IT & controlling system

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
My tasks include the communication, the controlling system (Covid tracking) and all IT related tasks.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The controlling system for the tracking of the Covid 19 cases is really challenging, due to the fact that the regulations change so often.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I hope that there is no positiv Covid 19 case and I'm looking forward to an Austrian winner!

Interview #13

NAME: Thomas Wurzinger
TITEL: Tickets & event marketing

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for event marketing and selling of tickets. During the bike world champinships I am helping in the PR area.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
Communication. Due to the many changes and the insecurity it was really difficult to contact all our partners and ticket buyers and not to be extremely irritating.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to seeing the pictures of the world championships 2020. When I look at them I am aware how special it has been.

Interview #14

NAME: Kristina Seer
TITEL: Content & social media

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I create content and thrilling stories about the preparation of the world championships, I put the latest news on our social media and I coordinated the world championship website and app and put content on it, together with Isabella and Lukas.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The biggest challenge for me, is to be as understandable as possible on social media, because this year we had to change things permanently.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to providing thrilling glimpes behind the scenes of the world championships on Facebook and Instagram for your community, as we are not allowed to have spectators this year.

Interview #15

NAME: Hannes Buchner
TITEL: Technique of the event, such as electricity, timekeeping, EDP/ network infrastructure, platforms, and organization of the staff

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
One of my tasks is to ensure, together with my colleagues, that all the technique works properly in the background and that enough infrastructure is available for all areas. Moreover, as I am the manager of the cable car, I am responsible for the organizational process concerning organization of all the staff, who work for the company.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA IN THIS YEAR?
The biggest challenge this year is definitely the prevailling insecurity due to Covid 19 and the measures, which change permanently. In this situation, organizational matters before and after the event are tremendously difficult. For all the companies, who are involved in this event, it is extremely challenging to adapt to the permanently chaning contract. That's the reason why you must react daily to the new measures and must find compromises.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to reaping the fruits of our work and to seeing that despite challenging conditions we were able to organize a superb event and got absolutely amazing pictures on TV. Concerning the area of technique, we are the happiest, when everything goes as planned during the event and small disruptions can be set right without anybody noticing. Then you know that your work has been good.

Interview #16

NAME: Katharina Auer
TITEL: Sponsoring & branding

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the area of sponsoring and branding. My main task is to coordinate the visibilites and activations of our partners before the event, so that they are presentet in the best possible way before, during and after the event. This starts from the presence in our event communication (flyer, poster, program, names of the trails, etc.) and ends with the real establishment of all branding tools (banner, tents, inflatable arches, etc.) during the event.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
The biggest challenge is/ was the production and deliveries of all the products (continuous fleece, site fence covering, banner, etc.) at the right date, due to the permanently changing measures.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
I am looking forward to the magic of events, where you can feel what we produced together as a team, even in a year with so many challenges.

Interview #17

NAME: Stefanie Altacher
TITEL: Accreditation & riders confirmation

1. FOR WHICH AREA ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR TASKS?
I am responsible for the accreditation of the employees, volunteers and working together with Wings for the accreditation of the teams.

2. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA THIS YEAR?
I hope that not many identity cards with wrong pictures on it are on their ways and I hope that I did not make any mistakes while issuing the authorities of access.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD?
I am looking forward to positiv feedback of everyone. I am looking forward to the start of the event and to experiencing new things.