This year we’ll be staging the Barclaycard World Freerun Championship at the highly prestigious venue of Trafalgar Square, London. Below are some mock-up drawings courtesy of Heart Productions showing the scope of the obstacles and surrounding areas. Click on images to enlarge.
Finished Version Of The Worlds 2009 Setup
In case of adverse weather conditions, we’ll have a transparent orbital roof covering. We’ll make a call on using this the night before the event but our preferred choice is always to be totally open air. With regard to the stage, we’ve kept a similar tiered block structure like last year but have added in many additions. There are now more gaps, vertical pipes, angled kicker walls, kong to cat opportunities and a higher scaffolding structure to allow for a multitude of techniques along with giants. Whilst safety has always been paramount, we’ve decided to do away with crash mats and have lowered each drop by 1 foot. The inclusion of matting last year proved to be more of a sticking point and due to their thickness/softness, caused the athletes to lose balance and ultimately, stifle their flow. By making the decision to get rid of the mats we will open up the speed and flow whilst also losing the notion of people doing quadruple corks in the knowledge of having a soft landing if they were to bail. If anything, we’re now making the course as close to real life street action as possible.
Early Concept Drawing
Another obvious addition to the course is the protruding front end. As seen in the picture, this will extend out into the crowd and allow for an up close and personal experience for those watching. The inner circle of the pit will be used as an athletes pit where they will view the action from. On either side we’ll have areas called the ‘Golden Circle’. We expect to see this area populated by hardcore fans and members of the media who’ll be filming and taking photo’s. With the final being broadcast live on TV, we will have a sweeping crane to capture all the action in as dynamic a way as possible.
Early Concept Drawing
With this event being by far, the highest profile Freerunning event the World has seen yet, we really can’t think of a better venue to host it at. With the venue packed to capacity watching 27 of the World’s best Freerunner’s in action and the presence of a big camera crew broadcasting live, it will only make for a fantastic experience for all those present.
Early Concept Drawing
The square will see 8,000 spectators packed in. For British sport, Trafalgar Square has always provided an iconic backdrop for parades, celebrations and announcements. In the past, Urban Freeflow have performed there on numerous occasions but never at anything as remotely as ambitious as this event. To be inducted into the TF hall of fame won’t hurt the profile of Freerunning at all and if anything, will only serve to accelerate things to a completely new level for the discipline.
