Grinta _Kirsty-Baxter_feature

GRINTA RoAD C Y C L I N G / CX / GR AvEL / A Dv ENT uRE

Photographer's FEATuRE

$ 14 . 9 5

BEARDY MCBEARD, FYXO, JEFF CuRTES, fAME & SPEAr EAMON FITZPATRICK, CHRIS MILLIMAN, KIRSTY BAXTER

Above | Lizzie Williams ripping up her namesake course Williamstown on her way to the stage win - see next spread Right hand page | Pre Noosa Tri team #6450 Cliff Fairley, myself and Aussie legend Susie O’Neill 80 www.grinta.com.au

Photographer’s Feature - KIRSTY BAXTER

Kirsty, hailing from the sporting capital of the world – Melbourne, Australia, is a self-confessed sports nut. While late-night TdF viewing has left her bleary-eyed for many years, Kirsty’s involvement in cycling began a decade ago assisting with a women’s Road and MTB team. The cycling bug bit hard and Kirsty has gone on to combine her passion for women’s cycling with her self-taught talent for photography. Today, through her passion for the promotion of women’s cycling, Kirsty has established herself as a well-known cycling photographer and in 2015 earned the Cycling Victoria “Excellence in Coverage” of women’s cycling award.

What made them stand out?

Just looking cool calm and collected pre race. Captured Marcel a couple of years in a row at the TDU and he always re tweets.

Peta either has a smile on her face pre race or sheer determination during. A master of all disciplines on the bike, it’s awesome to capture her doing her thing.

Kirsty continues to photograph and promote cycling at grass roots, social and the elite level, shooting at races, events and for cycling brands along with various publications. A friend to many in the peloton, Kirsty’s images are shared by countless athletes, including Marcel Kittel, Jens Voigt and Michael Matthews, but especially by those in the women’s peloton and workhorses in the bunch who are often ignored.

A snapshot of what’s in the kit bag for the big races / bike road trips?

2 bodies – Nikon d750 and Nikon D600. 24-70mm and 70200mm lens, flash, 2 x spare batteries, 2 x extra SD cards, macbook pro, external hard drive, gopro 4

Is your life centred around riding, or is it just a job for you?

It’s actually still a hobby for me. I have a day job and try to juggle both where I can.

How long have you been shooting road cycling?

I’ve been shooting road cycling for approximately 5 years.

Are you into all things two wheels or just the road bike?

Started out at local crits, specifically trying to promote women’s cycling. Have recently branched out to CX as well which I love!

What is your favourite race or event to shoot?

Women’s cycling is what I capture – be it local crits, through to the big races over the Aussie Summer. Would love to be able to shoot La Course in 2017.

Other - Definitely Summer of Cycling in Australia. Starting with Bay Crits through to Herald Sun Tour. But 1 event Tour Down Under for the atmosphere, the accessibility of the riders and that there is also a women’s event too.

Who is the most photogenic rider you’ve ever shot?

Men - Marcel Kittel.

Women – Peta Mullens.

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How do you deal with traveling with so much camera equipment?

It’s tough! Typically my carry on is approx. 10kg.

Qantas allows for 2 x 7kg bags in carry on but when I have to fly with budget airline its certainly interesting as to what you choose to put in check in, and also in your pockets etc.

Would you swap your job for that of a pro rider?

HAHAHAH – I hate riding up hills so I will leave it up to them!

Do you still ride or race?

I’m a social rider, but recently rode the bike leg at Noosa Tri with Susie O’Neill as the swimmer and her husband doing the run leg. Was nervous but can’t wait to do it again next year.

Which other photographers do you admire?

Cycling and other…

So many talented photographers in cycling who I admire. Beardy has changed the game a lot in the last few years. Locally I love Michael Klein, Con Chronis, Delly Carr, Jeff Curtes and of course Beardy. Internationally Jered Gruber’s pics always stand out.

What was your best moment from the year?

It’s been a blockbuster year but Annemiek Van Vluetens return post Olympics crash is inspiring.

Sagan’s back to back worlds also a highlight.

Left | The little Italian Valentina Scandorlara warming up pre women’s TDU. Above | Marcel Kittel looking cool Pre TDU stage 2015 - the rider with possibly the nicest head of hair in the pro peloton... Right | Allan “Alby” Iacuone one of my favourite riders to capture when shooting CX

What tactics do you use at the end of a race to get the shot in the media scrum?

I’m still very much a newbie so I let the “legends” pull rank and just go wherever there is a spot. Gotta earn your spot ;-) Who do you tip to win the 2017 Tour de France and why do you choose this rider?

Chris Froome. The guy is just a machine and has a super team supporting him.

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Peta Mullens racing FOJCX in her first season. She will be hungry for the National title in 2017

Clockwise top left | Sarah Roy lighting up the local crit at St Kilda before going on to have her best season yet | Caleb Ewan celebrating his National Criterium Champs win | A highlight of my 2016 was the Mountain TT stage at TDF. Chris Froome powers through the crowd to the stage win. | Tiff Cromwell celebrating her podium place Nationals 2016

This spread | Bridie O’Donnell celebrating her incredible hour record in January 2016 90 www.grinta.com.au

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Tiff Cromwell celebrating her podium place Nationals 2016

Photo KIrsty Baxter