2020 has been anything but common. With a global pandemic and stay at home orders, most of the travel BCC does every year for IRONMAN and Rock ‘n’ Roll races was put in standby at the beginning of March.
Fast forward to November.
IRONMAN has continued to work hard to create safety measures for all athletes and crew to return to racing safely amidst the pandemic that continues to linger.
With all safety measures in place, the BCC Live crew finally boarded a plane.
Destination: Panama City Beach, Florida.
Upon arrival, all familiar faces (now covered with masks) are there. Everyone is excited to finally get to work and put on an event that’s both memorable for the crew and for all athletes (and their families at a distance).
IRONMAN staff only sign
The doors for the equipment trailer are open.
The relationship between BCC Live and IRONMAN has been one that keeps solidifying throughout the years. BCC always takes care of the essentials: power, audio, lights, video and of course…internet service.
The small but mighty BCC crew takes care of all power needs by setting up the big diesel generators and the small gas-powered ones – distributing power where electricity will be needed, which for an IRONMAN, means everywhere!
Daniela has a load of equipment to begin installing the power infrastructure for the IRONMAN Village
In most cases of temporary outdoor power, all power originates from a 35kW or more diesel generator via 50a twist lock interface.
After power is up and running, we take care of business.
Literally!
Setting up all the internet needs and POS systems for the merchandise site, working with precision and attention to detail – these are all crucial steps in our work since it’s important everything runs smoothly once the athletes arrive on site. Internet crashing on site?
NOT on our watch!
Next step is audio. Creating a friendly atmosphere at the IRONMAN Village, we set up all the speakers and curate playlists to enhance the overall vibe of the area you’re visiting. We love keeping all our athletes, crew, and volunteers happy.
Here we are, the center of operations for BCC Live before race day. And of course, the bikes are parked next to the tent! It’s faster to move on the bike and allows us to follow all the action on race day!
The BCC Headquarters at an IRONMAN Event, where we can plot our next move.
In some cities, the bicycles that are stored on our trailer come in handy as a primary method of transportation.
The night before the race we have the transition area, swim start and swim exit, and of course the grand finale (the finish line) all set up so everywhere you go the music and the announcers can be heard!
When everything is set up and ready to rock, we switch gears and begin some of the most rewarding and amazing parts of our job during IRONMAN Week. Storytelling!
Dave and Marcus had the pleasure to interview Chris Nikic, the first athlete with Down Syndrome to complete an IRONMAN Triathlon. Later, we were behind the camera live streaming his unforgettable 2 final miles into the finish line. Check it out below!
Our amazing videographers start capturing incredible stories for many of the athletes toeing the start line of the race. We have the honor of telling fun and inspiring stories from all walks of life…and the best part? We get to greet them at the finish line.
Check out the final product!
We don’t simply focus our video efforts on post-production. We also broadcast all of the finish line action live! For years this has been a tradition, but now with COVID-19 and no spectators at the finish line, it’s become a crucial service we provide to all the athletes’ families and friends.
Through all the hard work it takes to put on an event of this magnitude, we don’t forget to have fun, enjoy the scenery, take pictures and be grateful this is what we get to do for a living. Creating memories for all the athletes competing and memories for ourselves! Enjoy some of our favorites below.
BCC uses:
Apple Computers, and iPhones; Sony PXW-X70, A7SIII, A7RIII Cameras; Go Pro Cameras; QSC Speakers; Mackie Speakers and Consoles; JBL Speakers; Crown Amplifiers; Netgear Nighthawk 5G Routers; Teradek Core and Teradek BOND backpacks; Focusrite Interfaces; Black Magic Interfaces; Shure Microphones; Sennheiser Wireless Microphones; Honda EU Generators; CEP Electric Boxes; ARRI Lights