Heletranz: In Flight for the America’s Cup

The finalists in the Prada Cup are racing for the win in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour today, hotly contested between INEOS Team UK from Great Britain and Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. 

The winner will then have the opportunity to challenge the reigning champions, Team New Zealand, for the America’s Cup. 

This is the 36th staging of the America’s Cup yacht race, and was first contested for in 1851 - it stands as the oldest trophy in international sport. Coverage of this event will cross over 195 territories around the world, and will be live streamed via YouTube, Facebook and on americascup.com.

The event is able to take place with minimal restrictions in place, as New Zealand’s strict border controls and effective contact tracing requirements have been able to keep the country’s COVID-19 cases under control.

Event organisers have called on Heletranz to help capture the event from a different perspective, and are utilising two of their helicopters to do so. Heletranz are part of the INFLITE Group, and have over 25 years experience in the industry. They specialise in creating luxury, tailored solutions both in and around Auckland, Waiheke, and further afield.

“Low level filming work is extremely technical,” says Gemma Parton, General Manager of Heletranz, “With the specialist camera equipment fitted to the machine the aircraft is required to hover perfectly still and then move into a new position in a short period of time.” 

One of their pilots, Tony Monk, is one of the most experienced aerial film and photography pilots in New Zealand, if not the world, and will be flying during the race. The aerial perspective that is captured by the team will be broadcast alongside footage captured by cameras on board the boats, and Virtual Eye’s 3D Sports Graphics.

We’re proud of the work Inflite Group is able to achieve during this time, and wish the teams all the best in the final race.‍

Images via Inflite and America’s Cup (Instagram) 📸‍