Eye of the Condor News

It’s A Wrap! La Parva’s Eye Of The Condor Produces A Surprise Winner:

Dubsatch Collective Sweeps Photo and Video Awards, Discrete Wins People’s Choice

After storms, sun, seminars and photo exhibits, La Parva’s Eye Of The Condor wrapped up tonight with a raucous awards party that produced a surprising sweep of both the Photo and Video awards by a young Dubsatch Collective team. The People’s Choice award was taken by Discrete.

“I am speechless right now,” admitted Dubsatch team member Carston Oliver. “It hasn’t really sunken in.”

Still, there’s little doubt that Oliver and his teammates, which included athletes Leo Ahrens and Zach Halverson, along with photographer Juan Luis de Heeckren and videographer Alvaro Zurita will find a way to wrap their brains around their $6000 total winnings ($3000 for photo and $3000 for video) eventually.

The victory in both categories for Dubsatch was made all the sweeter by the fact that the Utah based team arrived in La Parva sans a photographer and videographer after last minute scheduling conflicts left the athletes scrambling for replacements. They found succor in the Chilean tandem of de Heeckren and Zurita, who proved that there’s a wealth of undiscovered artistic talent in Chile.

“This is an amazing story,” says Rodrigo Medina, La Parva Director of Sales and Business. “This team arrived without some of their key members, but they were able to connect with some local talent. De Heeckren and Zurita aren’t big names like some of the other photographers we had here. But they’re not going to remain unknown for much longer. This is a huge success for them as well as for the guys from Utah.”

According to the judges, the competition was extremely tight, with all of the participating teams producing compelling work. This was particularly true for the effort made by Discrete. Thomas Grob, Eye judge and General Manager of La Parva, was so impressed by that team’s effort that he tapped into his La Parva expense account to offer up the “Chilean Choice” award of $1500 to Discrete. The cash prize will no doubt come in handy during the all expenses paid Chilean surf trip that Discrete claimed as the winners of the “People’s Choice” award that was given based upon votes during the award party by attendees, VIPs and other locals.

“I am stoked,” an obviously elated Grob said as the awards were announced. “This has been an amazing event.”

Teams competing in La Parva at The Eye Of The Condor include K2, KLIИT, Discrete, Dubsatch, and Optimus Prime. The athletes worked with videographers and photographers to create the most impressive body of work over five days and claim the coveted “Eye Of The Condor” award. Already plans are being made for a second installment of this prestigious event, which is expected to occur during the first week of August in 2012. Please stay tuned to www.laparva.cl and www.eyeofthecondor.com for additional details.

In addition to awarding prizes for best video and photography portfolio, The Eye Of The Condor also provided a forum for broader discussion, with seminars, photo retrospectives and other events that examined the roll that action sports and photography play in marketing and brand development.

More Snow In La Parva!
Eye Of The Condor Teams Score Best Conditions Of The Winter

More snow. That’s today’s prognosis as another storm is pounding the best ski area in Chile, La Parva. After two days of sun and hard work skiing powder, the snow is a welcome addition for the athletes who are competing in The Eye Of The Condor event here. For some, it provides a much needed rest day, the opportunity to recharge, edit video and photos and plan their next move. For others, the low visibility and new power means a break from filming and a day to get some personal ski time in. And for others, the fog and the swirling snow means a chance to create unique images in La Parva’s village, either by hitting rails or finding other jibbing features. Regardless, with the sun scheduled to come out tomorrow and yet another bluebird powder day on tap, things will only get better as the snow fills in La Parva’s world-class terrain.

“This season started a bit slow,” says Rodrigo Medina, La Parva Director of Sales and Business, “but the Andes are living up to their promise. Conditions were amazing after the last storm and this one will only make things better.”

With this storm scheduled to dump approximately 10cm at La Parva’s base, with much more at the top of the resort, conditions are shaping up to be amazing. There’s even more snow on the way, as a powerful system is scheduled to arrive on Thursday night, with snow through the weekend.

“If you’ve ever dreamed of skiing in South America,” adds Medina, “now is the time to book your trip to La Parva. You don’t have to be a professional athlete like the participants in the Eye Of The Condor to enjoy the some of the best skiing in the world, we have great terrain for everyone.”

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Alternative Eye Photo Exhibition and Auction Raises $2000 For Charity
Event at La Parva’s Eye Of The Condor Benefits McConkey Foundation

With a storm raging over the Andes, La Parva’s The Eye Of The Condor inaugurated what will certainly become a tradition. The Alternative Eye was designed to showcase the art form that is photography and this year’s exhibition didn’t disappoint with both local Chilean artists and international photographers participating. But the highlight of the show wasn’t the images – although they were stunning. It was the fact that the Alternative Eye also featured an auction that benefited both the Shane McConkey Foundation and the Debra Foundation. At the end of the night, $2000 was raised for these worthy causes.

“We are honored and privileged to be able to support both the Shane McConkey Foundation and the Debra Foundation,” says Rodrigo Medina, La Parva Director of Sales and Business. “One of the original goals of this event was to be able to give back to the community at large, and this is an excellent start.”

With Medina along with K2 Team manager Mike Powell running the show, the action was fast paced from the start, with a combination of outdoor gear along with the fine art images on display up for grabs. Both locals and visitors enthusiastically participated, driving the bids up in a good natured and spirited competition.

“The auction was a lot of fun,” added Medina. “It’s great to see people bid up the prices of the items, because everyone knows that ultimately the money goes to charity, and benefits those in need.”
“I’ve never done an auction before,” admitted K2’s Powell. “It was a bit out of control at times, but that’s what you want. You want people to get that fever, and you want them to have fun. I can’t imagine a better way to spend money than when it benefits two such worthy causes.”

Teams competing in La Parva at The Eye Of The Condor include K2, KLIИT, Discrete, Dubsatch, and Optimus Prime. The athletes will work with videographers and photographers to create the most impressive body of work over five days and claim the coveted “Eye Of The Condor” award.

In addition to recognizing the best video and photography portfolio, The Eye Of The Condor also provides a forum for broader discussion, with seminars, photo retrospectives and other events that seek to examine the roll that action sports and photography play in marketing and brand development.
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The Condor Has Landed!
The World’s Best Athletes and Photographers Are Now Onsite at La Parva

With snow in the forecast for tonight, and the world’s best athletes and photographers in the house, the Eye Of The Condor is primed to kick off with spectacular conditions over the next five days as the world’s best duke it out in one of the most unique competitions on the planet. Featuring teams battling over 5 days (July 30 – August 4)to produce the most compelling photo portfolio and 3-5 minute video segment and hosted by Chile’s best resort, La Parva, the Eye Of The Condor includes some of the word’s best skiers, with individuals such as Andy Mahre, Tanner Rainville and Sean Petit working with the best photographers and videographers on the planet as they seek to create the most creative visuals and win the first installment of this prestigious event.

Skiing Magazine multi-media editor Alex Witkowitz is covering the event. Witkowitz, who was part of a contingent of over 40 participants who arrived in Santiago via Delta airlines, had this to say about the experience of traveling with the world’s best: “It was intimidating,” Witkowitz said. “It was surreal, you recognize all of these names, they’re the best in the world.”

“It’s fantastic to have this level of talent here,” adds Rodrigo Medina, La Parva Director of Sales and Business. “It’s a reflection of the quality of the product at La Parva and the experience we can provide. Each team felt honored to be included, and we’re happy to have them here.”

Teams competing include K2, KLIИT, Discrete, Dubsatch, and Optimus Prime. The athletes will work with videographers and photographers to create the most impressive body of work over five days and claim the coveted “Eye Of The Condor” award.

“With new snow in the forecast and a solid base already on the ground conditions are good for the event,” says Medina. “I expect that we will see some amazing photos and some really creative videos produced over the next five days. It’s wonderful to have these teams here and everyone at La Parva is extremely excited for the week.”

The Eye Of The Condor will award cash prizes to the best video and photography portfolio while also providing a forum for broader discussion, with seminars, photo retrospectives and other events that seek to examine the roll that action sports and photography play in marketing and brand development.

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Eye Of The Condor Kicks Off Tomorrow
The World’s Best Athletes and Photographers Arrive in La Parva

La Parva’s Eye Of The Condor starts tomorrow, as world-class contingent of athletes, photographers and videographers descend upon Chile to participate in this unique event. A unique photo and video competition, which features teams battling over 5 days (July 30 – August 4) to produce the most compelling photo portfolio and 3-5 minute video segment, the Eye Of The Condor features some of the word’s best athletes, including Sean Petit, Pep Fujas, Tanner Rainville, J.T. Holmes and more.

Already on site is Team Discrete athlete Rachael Burks. “Chile is stunning and Santiago is a beautiful city at the base of amazing mountains and then waking up in La Parva today was amazing, it’s gorgeous,” says Burks. “The skiing was really fun today, with the snow much better than I expected, it’s soft and smooth and powdery when you’re off-piste. I had a great day.”

“Things will really get rolling tomorrow,” says Rodrigo Medina, La Parva Director of Sales and Business. “We expect everyone to be at the mountain by the afternoon and we’ll be kicking off the event with a bang.”

With teams from K2, KLIИT, Discrete, Dubsatch, and Optimus Prime, the first annual Eye Of The Condor features an impressive roster of athletes. Along with Burks, K2’s Sean Dubsatch’s Leo Ahrens, and Optimus Prime’s J.T. Holmes will be joined by Tanner Rainville (KLIИT) as athletes, videographers and photographers work together to create the most impressive body of work over five days and claim the coveted “Eye Of The Condor” award.

“With this kind of talent,” says Medina, “nothing is guaranteed. Everyone will have to be at their best to win, and it will be very competitive. I look forward to seeing the results, and I expect we will see some amazing skiing coupled with a high level of creativity on the part of the photographers and videographers.”

The Eye Of The Condor will award cash prizes to the best video and photography portfolio while also providing a forum for broader discussion, with seminars, photo retrospectives and other events that seek to examine the roll that action sports and photography play in marketing and brand development.
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Located 50 kilometers outside of Santiago, Chile’s capital city, La Parva is the most exclusive ski resort in Chile. At 2662 meters above sea level, the mountain features 15 chair lifts with access to over 1,000 hectares of ski terrain for all levels with a vertical drop of 1058 meters.

La Parva has hosted many international events such as the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and FIS sanctioned races and is a training center for top international ski teams from the United States, France, Canada, Slovakia and others.

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