[2024] CIF SS FINALS 745AM GIRLS D1 (Gyro Stabilized HQ version)

Описание: This is a gyro stabilized HQ version of the Division 1 SoCal XC Finals at 3 miles on Mt SAC new course to qualify for California State on Nov. 30 in Fresno. Three key attack points on this race: 1. Switchback climb at 5:47; 2. Reservoir hill climb at 12:08 3. The finishing kick with obligatory slow-motion at 14:08. The initial hill climb at the Switchbacks was too slippery so I purposely gave a long lead (in case I slip or spray mud on the runners). This is why you can't see the move like you could at the bottom of Reservoir.
Check out Holly giving Rylee that "are you ready for the kick because I sure am" look during the slow motion sequence.
Go to hdRunners for the finish line camera as I had equipment failure at the finish line:    • 2024 XC - CIF-SS Ford Cross Country Champi...  
https://finishedresults.com/meets/5429
Very impressive comeback by Holly (just in time for NXN against Sadie and Rylee) and not only winning but setting the course record with Millie Bayles beating the previous record.
Watching the climb up Reservoir Hills with Millie, Rylee and Holly reminded me of how hill climbs can make or break a race (as in the Tour De France stages) because it requires both physical and mental toughness to deal with the BURN.

The course was muddy and slippery (perfect training for NXN) and water droplets covered my glasses so going downhill was sketchy - hence the long lead so I can brake earlier.


TECHNICAL NOTES:
Rendered in ProRes as the standard H265 is too blocky from what I can see on my OLED TV;
the lens on the bikecam is a 50mm f1.2 but due to the 8K recording, I can crop in 2X during editing so that it becomes a 100mm f1.8 lens.
the vibrations seem to be more on the early races on this day and I believe it's a combination of 2 days of the prelims as well as the mudholes and ruts on the course.
to reduce the vibrations, I used a free amazing software called Gyroflo (for drone FPV) that uses gyroscopic sensors data on the Sony cameras to offset the shaking. There is a paid software called Catalyst Prepare which does a better job but takes 24 hours to process 2 hours of footage on a Mac M3 Ultra Studio so that's a no go.
there is something swinging near the end of the race in the camera viewpoint: that's my deadcat microphone cover that came loose. Anything that is mounted to the bike has a Kevlar safety line so this would be the microphone swinging on the safety line.
I used https://www.lalal.ai/ to split the vocals and the music. This way I can silence any part of the lyrics (or adjust its volume).
the fog with water droplets in the air (you can't see it on the video) caused alot of problems with the Bluetooth for the tracking auto focus. My glasses were covered in water droplets so it was a bit sketchy on the uphill and downhill.


Not sure if Footlocker Regional on Dec 7th could be more exciting than this but you never know; this is why I get up at 430AM on Saturdays during XC and TF seasons.