The Red Bulletin January 2017 - ZA

SOUTH AFRICA

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

40 THINGS

you need to know for Dakar success

FUTURE GHETTO

Funk pioneer Moonchild Sanelly

AFRICAN HEROES RISE UP FOR THE BIGGEST STARS OF AFCON 2017

R40 INCL VAT (R5.60) JANUARY 2017

ELIAS ELHARDT

VIDEO STABILIZATION

WATERPROOF

VOICE CONTROL

THE WORLD OF RED BULL

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GETTING A STEER

WELCOME This month’s issue of The Red Bulletin takes the maxim of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ to the extremity of extension. For our cover story on the African Cup Of Nations, we profile Africa’s brightest footballing stars: Sadio Mané, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez and Asamoah Gyan – men who, through a mixture of outrageous talent, career risks and gritty determination, have made it to the top of the global game.

The same combination infuses the mindset of rally ace Sébastien Loeb, who is once again risking his status as an all-time great to pursue victory in the gruelling Dakar Rally.

We also have the colourful musings of the uniquely talented South African ghetto funk sensation Moonchild Sanelly. Enjoy.

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“I’m freespirited, and it gets me into trouble” SIENNA MILLER, PAGE 21

THE RED BULLETIN

GETTY IMAGES(4), PICTUREDESK.COM(1)(COVER), ASO/ @WORLD/ A LAVADINHO/ A VIALATTE, MATIAS INDJIC/FIGAROPHOTO/LAIF

Think you could take on the Dakar Rally?

Rally Our guide to the notoriously tough – and dangerous – motorsport event will point you in the right direction

JANUARY 2017

28 PITCH PERFECT

Some of football’s biggest names are set to appear at the 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations in Gabon – we profile four of the best

AT A GLANCE GALLERY 12

GOOD SHOTS! Photos of the month

BULLEVARD 19

INSPIRATIONS Unique talents

GETTY IMAGES (2), PHANTOMDIVERS.COM, FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, RAMONA ROSALES, FRED MURRAY/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

FEATURES 24 Eréndira Ibarra

From climbing trees to TV success: the Mexican actress who’s on the up

28 Africa Cup Of Nations

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Who will light up the pitch in Gabon?

See our pick of the contenders

38 Dakar Rally

Everything you ever wanted to know about the famous off-road event

50 Sébastien Loeb

50 UP CLOSE AND PERILOUS

On Mexico’s glorious Riviera Maya, brave divers have the chance to swim with sharks – no cage required

The rally legend on victory, failure and the challenge of Dakar 2017

54 Heroes of the month

Singer/dancer/designer/poet Moonchild Sanelly, actor Mads Mikkelsen, games expert Scott Nicholson and climber David Lama

LOEB’S NEXT STAGE

After a disappointing drive at the 2016 Dakar Rally, motorsport giant Sébastien Loeb is back – and gunning for glory

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60 Danny MacAskill

On set in Scotland with the street trials rider as he films his latest video

68 Vienna nightlife

After-hours in the Austrian capital

ACTION!

60 EARTHQUAKE GIRL

Mexican actress Eréndira Ibarra, star of sci-fi drama Sense8, on overcoming insecurity and breaking down barriers THE RED BULLETIN

BLOOD, SWEAT AND GEARS

It’s not easy being a viral video star – just ask rider Danny MacAskill after the 100th bruising take for his new film

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SEE IT. GET IT. DO IT. The best travel,

gadgets, films, games, music, wheels, watches and events. Plus what’s on Red Bull TV this month, and how to jump from a plane without a parachute 98 FLASHBACK Wakeboarding gets wild

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CONTRIBUTORS INSIDE THIS ISSUE JANUARY 2017

WHO’S ON BOARD

LUKAS GANSTERER

Writer Werner Jessner (centre) after the final stage of Dakar 2012

How to survive the Dakar Rally When the 39th Dakar Rally roars into action on January 2 in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, many dangers will lie ahead for the drivers, including anoxia (a lack of oxygen), limited sleep, and some merciless desert stages. But how do you become a Dakar driver? What’s the cost of a car? And do you even need a driving licence to take part? The Red Bulletin’s motorsport writer, Werner Jessner, who drove all 8,000km of the rally in Argentina in 2012, answers your questions – see page 38.

The Austrian photographer, known for his portraits of extrovert artists, shot the heroes of Vienna’s nightlife scene for The Red Bulletin. These include a singer who drinks beer from his boots on stage. Page 68.

MELISSA REDDY

The well-connected football writer and former Joburg resident profiles the potential stars of AFCON 2017 for The Red Bulletin. A diehard supporter of Liverpool FC, she now calls the English city her home. Page 28.

THE RED BULLETIN AROUND THE WORLD The Red Bulletin is available in eight countries. This cover, featuring rapper Manillio, is from the Swiss edition.

Read more: redbulletin.com

IN FOCUS BEHIND THE LENS

“She has a lust for life that really delivers in the image” RAMONA ROSALES, PHOTOGRAPHER The American photographer with the Mexican name flew from LA to Mexico City to shoot actress Eréndira Ibarra. “It’s amazing to work with such a confident subject who projects her power through her energy and beauty,” says Rosales. See page 24.

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Pool session: Rosales shoots the Sense8 actress at Hotel Carlota

THE RED BULLETIN

Buffalo City

29 January 2017

GALLERY

PHILIP PLATZER/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

SWING TIME

FROMBERG, AUSTRIA PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP PLATZER

The Red Bull Skydive Team took playing on the swings to a new level in the skies over Austria.

Armed with a seat attached to a 125m-long rope – the ‘Mega Swing’ – Marco Fürst and his three teammates ascended in two hot air balloons for a four-second freefall, followed by half a pendulum swing and a leap from 1,800m. “It’s everyone’s dream,” said Georg Lettner, one of the skydivers. “To swing higher and higher, and finally jump off and fly.”

To see the video, go to: redbull.com

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ROCK SOLID American photographer Ian Witlen is a dab hand at high-octane concert pictures. He’s been documenting the mosh-pit free-for-all and the stage excesses at live gigs for over 10 years. But the gig of the hard-rocking sibling duo JEFF the Brotherhood – that’s Jake Orrall, on the right, and his brother, Jamin – at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee was a highlight for Witlen. “They performed on the tiniest stage but produced the wildest gig.”

See more at: ianwitlen.com

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IAN WITLEN

MANCHESTER, USA PHOTOGRAPHY: IAN WITLEN

CRASH COURSE EDMONTON, CANADA PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREAS LANGREITER

Pacôme Schmitt (second from left) eyed a top-10 finish at Red Bull Crashed Ice in Edmonton last time around, but the Frenchman’s attempts to chase down Canada’s Dylan Moriarity (right) were in vain. When the 2017 ice-cross world championship kicks off in Marseille on January 13 – its first-ever stop in France – Schmitt will hope to make the most of the home advantage.

For details of the 2017 season, go to: redbullcrashedice.com

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ANDREAS LANGREITER / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

WHICH SIZE SUITS YOU?

BULLEVARD THE HOME OF PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE, ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, INNOVATE

PLAYING IT STRAIGHT ART STREIBER/AUGUST

CHRIS PRATT THE ACTOR WHO CRACKED HOLLYWOOD WITH THE HELP OF A SECRET WEAPON: SINCERITY Life was sweet for Chris Pratt at 19, working in a Maui restaurant, sleeping on the beach… Then a customer offered him a role in a low-budget film; by saying ‘have a nice day’ and meaning it, Pratt had opened a door. “It’s how I was raised,” he said later. “[It’s about] understanding your attitude is contagious and asking yourself if it’s worth catching.” Moving to LA, he did the hard yards – a decade of auditions, small TV and film parts – before becoming Andy in sitcom Parks and Recreation. In 2014, he broke onto the Hollywood A-list with Guardians Of The Galaxy, then Jurassic World, The Magnificent Seven and now Passengers. At 37, Pratt might be the biggest international movie star today. He’s certainly proof that good guys can win.

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BULLEVARD 1963

2016

On August 3, James Alan Hetfield is born in Downey, California, to Christian Scientist parents. When he’s 16, his mother dies of cancer, choosing prayer over medicine. It shapes him: “I know what my higher power is all about,” he later said of writing the Metallica song The God Has Failed.

Released on November 18, Hardwired… To SelfDestruct is Metallica’s 10th studio album, arriving eight years after the previous, Death Magnetic.

Hetfield and Ulrich are sole songwriters; Hammett lost an iPhone with hundreds of riff ideas for the record, but he hadn’t backed them up. Of the 35-year-journey, Hetfield says, “We just want to write music that we like listening to… and we’ve got a lot of people that feel the same way as we do, for some reason.”

1981 ‘Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden’.

That’s the listing Hetfield sees in LA paper The Recycler. Having learned piano, drums and guitar as a child, he is well placed to reply to the drummer, Lars Ulrich, and the first seeds of Metallica are sown.

Metallica’s demo tapes and small gigs get them noticed, but no record company funds an album. Their promoter borrows cash, sets up a label and in May they enter the studio. Still problems, though: guitarist Dave Mustaine’s drug habit sees him ditched for Kirk Hammett and there is the album’s title. Eventually, Metal Up Your Ass is changed to Kill ‘Em All.

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“CAN I GET A HELL YEAH?” That’s Hetfield opening his and Metallica’s acceptance speech as they enter the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

(He gets what he asks for.)

Newsted returns to play for one night only at the inauguration, alongside new bassist Robert Trujillo.

Hetfield goes on to thank his wife “for saving my life many times” and his higher power for “the gift of music… Music is my therapy and I need to do it.”

HOW I GOT HERE AFTER MORE THAN THREE DECADES THRASHING OUT HITS, METALLICA CO-FOUNDER JAMES HETFIELD SAYS THE REASON THE BAND ARE STILL GOLD IS THAT THEY JUST LOVE WHAT THEY DO

1986

1992

With Hetfield on rhythm, Ulrich on drums, Hammett on lead and Cliff Burton on bass, Metallica grow both their profile and the thrash metal genre, especially with third album Master Of Puppets.

But their tour bus crashes in Sweden, and Burton is killed in the accident. “I saw the bus lying right on him,” Hetfield said later.

“I already wanted to kill [the driver].” An inquest absolves any blame.

More terrible luck, for Hetfield in particular. He suffers third-degree burns when a stage pyrotechnic shoots flames onto his arms and face during a show in Montreal in August. “I look down and watch the skin rising [on my arm],” he recalled. Metallica are touring to promote their fifth LP, Metallica, also known as the Black Album, which goes on to become the bestselling album in the US from 1991-2014.

2004 Wait – this shows how Metallica can do wrong.

The documentary Some Kind Of Monster focuses on the band in 2001-03, when Burton’s replacement Jason Newsted left and Hetfield spent seven months in rehab for alcohol abuse.

Hetfield and Ulrich’s power struggle is also laid bare.

1999 Hetfield is now married and a father; his band is one of the world’s most successful and beloved. So, naturally, Metallica record a live album and concert movie with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. S&M has some critics, but more than eight million records and films sold shows Metallica can do no wrong.

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1983

2009

BULLEVARD

MILLER TIME SIENNA MILLER AFTER A SERIES OF CAREER HIGHS AND LOWS, THE BRITISH ACTRESS IS AT THE TOP OF HER GAME

MATIAS INDJIC/FIGAROPHOTO/LAIF

In her early 20s Miller was making a big impact in big movies, but then suddenly her private life became the bigger story. In 2006, she starred in Factory Girl, the story of the rise and fall of an actresssocialite, and it was only a couple of years later that the crueller critics were saying how that film’s plotline might be applied to its falling star. She kicked ass in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, but a Scarlett Johanssonlike action career did not kick off.

Undeterred, she has bounced back, stealing scenes in Foxcatcher, American Sniper and High-Rise, and now she’s a major part of Ben Affleck’s upcoming crime epic Live By Night.

Now 34, the woman whose notoriety was often measured in malicious gossip column inches is now most famous for her acting chops. It’s quite a turnaround.

“I THINK HAVING A BABY REALLY CHANGED EVERYTHING, IF I’M HONEST” THE RED BULLETIN

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BULLEVARD

CARLOS SAINZ THE F1 STAR BELIEVES IN ALWAYS MAKING TIME TO TRAIN AND INSISTS THAT MENTAL AGILITY IS AS VITAL AS PHYSICAL FITNESS

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Day of rest after a race weekend. It’s the day where Sainz tries to do nothing. “No email, no meetings, nothing. I also allow myself a meal of whatever I want – a burger or whatever. But the point is to take a day to recover properly.”

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Minutes of warm-up before a track session or race. F1 may appear sedentary, but bursts of heavy G-forces and intense buffeting push the body to its limit. “I do boxing and also juggling to help with hand-eye co-ordination, which is really important,” says Sainz. "After that I’m sweating and ready to go.”

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Full hour of boxing in a training session.

“Reflexes are what we need the most as racing drivers. I work on mine in a boxing session with my trainer.

Boxing works very similar muscles to the ones we use in F1.

We combine it with different exercises, maybe a bit of crossfit at the same time. It’s the thing I have the most pain with the following day! It’s very intense.”

VITAL STATISTICS

Discipline: Formula One Driver. Age: 22.

Height: 1.78m. Weight: Approx. 66kg.

Roll of Honours: Former Red Bull Junior team driver and 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 champion. Made F1 debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015, has just completed his second full season in F1. Best finish as we went to press – sixth place at the 2016 Spanish, US and Brazilian grands prix.

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With a 21-race global season to contend with, as well as a packed schedule of sponsor and personal appearances, maintaining a regular fitness regime can be tricky. “You might spend around 200 days away from home, so [any regime] has to remain flexible,” says Sainz. “My first priority wherever I am is a session of cardio, because it deals with jet lag and helps you adapt to a different climate. I usually run, cycle or swim, and the session can be between half an hour and three hours.”

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Seconds – the possible reduction in lap time this season. F1 cars are expected to be quicker and heavier in 2017. That means more stress on the drivers. “We'll need to step up our physical condition,” says Sainz. “Fitness will make all the difference.”

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Minutes of quiet mental preparation before taking to the track. “After the warm-up your body might be ready to race, but your mind isn’t,” says Sainz. “You need to focus and calm yourself. I do visualisation techniques before qualifying, working through each corner, but I don’t do that before the race. In the races I prefer to improvise.”

FITNESS TRACKER THE HOTTEST THINGS IN HEALTH

THE APP FREELETICS

Of the two Freeletics apps, the one we like best is for bodyweight exercise. It’s highly customisable and the food suggestions are delicious. freeletics.com

THE TECH BEDDIT 3

Sleep right and you boost your physical and mental abilities.

The new iteration of Beddit monitors movement and heart rate via a mattress sensor, not wristband: one less thing to think about when turning in. beddit.com

THE FUEL RED MEAT

Too much is bad for us, and some can be good for muscle building. But a good steak now and then (trim the fat and grill it) can also be good for brain development, says a study in the European Journal of Epidemiology. springer.com

THE RED BULLETIN

DAVID CLERIHEW/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

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EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

SAY WHAT?

FOLLOW, LIKE AND RETWEET YOUR WAY TO A SMARTER MONTH

YES, GETTING THINGS DONE IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE ALL UNDERVALUE DOING THE OPPOSITE. TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS,, YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME FOR DOWNTIME

“I’m really understanding the virtues of meditation now more than ever in my life – just learning to not attach, to just let thoughts go by”

“Two years ago I was always practising, doing my stuff, and I was making things too complicated.

Now I try to relax a little bit more… The feeling is different from the things you do every day with the same rhythm” ANGELIQUE KERBER, CURRENT WORLD NUMBER ONE IN WOMEN’S TENNIS

ALLISON JANNEY, WEST WING ACTRESS

“I used to get stressed out all the time when I thought winning was important.

I wanted to try to win and help my kids win.

Once I figured out it wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about teaching these kids about being men, that’s when I started to relax”

“I’ve learned over the years that if you start thinking about the race, it stresses you out a little bit. I just try to relax and think about video games, what I’m gonna do after the race, what I’m gonna do just to chill.

Stuff like that to relax a little before the race”

RESTOCKS twitter.com/ restocks Sick of missing out on limited-edition streetwear from the likes of Supreme, Nike, Adidas and Yeezy? Follow this company (there’s an app, too) and you’ll be ahead of the crowd when the most desirable brands release new items, restock or go on sale.

USAIN BOLT, FASTEST HUMAN EVER

SNOOP DOGG, RAPPER

“I have three kids, a cat and a busy, noisy house. I get more time to relax when I’m working” NOEL GALLAGHER, MUSICIAN

“For me, solitude is a victory.

You can’t live 24 hours in the spotlight and still remain creative” KARL LAGERFELD, FASHION DESIGNER

MARIE FRANCE ROY instagram.com/ mariefranceroy Roy, aka ‘Mofo’, is one of the best freestyle snowboarders and also spends a lot of time on a surfboard. The FrenchCanadian lives for fresh air and fast times – from competing at international contests to her off-the-grid lifestyle in Vancouver – and the pics she posts are inspiring.

WAREABLE

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“I’ve never lost sight of the fact that to be successful, I need to invest in myself during and beyond my workouts every day” GWEN JORGENSEN, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL-WINNING TRIATHLETE

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facebook.com/ wareable The very latest info on the tech you strap on, hook over your ears, look into, carry in your pocket; the tech that monitors you, betters you, helps you, guides you; the tech that makes you sleep better, work harder, communicate smarter, and do more on-the-go with cat GIFs.

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The daughter of a renowned Mexican director and producer, Ibarra was determined to make a career in acting on her merits

Force of nature

After making her mark in the Wachowski sisters’ sci-fi psychodrama Sense8, Mexican actress and self-styled ‘earthquake girl’ ERÉNDIRA IBARRA is ready to make a seismic impact in Hollywood Words: Rocío Estrada Photography: Ramona Rosales

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rowing up, Eréndira Ibarra was surrounded by lights, cameras and movie action. The daughter of famed Mexican director/ producer Epigmenio Ibarra, her summers were spent at Mexico City’s Estudios Churubusco Azteca. However, her early immersion in film and TV was tempered by a second life beside the ocean in California with her freethinking mother.

Both aspects of her upbringing have infused her burgeoning status as one of Mexico’s finest acting exports, and following a breakthrough role as polyamorous actress Daniela in Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s sci-fi drama for Netflix, Sense8, the girl who grew up climbing trees is set to reach even greater heights.

Ibarra appreciates the value of hard work, whether it’s for a television role or just a CrossFit session down at the gym

STYLING Tino Portillo MAKE-UP Betty Cisneros HAIR Erick Moreno

the red bulletin: You led something of a double life as a child. What was that like? eréndira ibarra: I was called ‘earthquake girl’, because I was hyperactive, and also ‘tree girl’, because I liked to climb trees. I had a very happy childhood in San Jose, where I was in touch with nature. At my elementary school, there was a giant tree, which was my castle.

When did you choose acting?

I was doing badly in high school, and it was clear to me that I wanted to go into acting – but who wants to be an actress when you’re the daughter of someone like my dad? Then, one day, I lost my history book and went crying to my father’s partner, saying, “I lost my book! I’ll never finish high school!” She said, “Enough! So what if you don’t? Do what you have always done, and stop being unhappy.”

Did you feel overshadowed by your father?

For my dad, it was important I studied first, so people wouldn’t say I was only in the industry because of him. When I started out, every director was tough on my work – that helped prove I was there because of my effort.

When did you start to believe you could be a leading lady?

During the second season of [Mexican prison drama] Capadocia. I used to say to myself, “I’ll never have the leading role: I’m the chubby one, the lead’s best friend, and that’ll be my life.” I’ve always been self-critical and insecure.

So, what helped you heal?

Meeting my husband, [model and martial arts trainer] Fredd Londoño. This job is very hard, and when you are forced to change because of what others want, it’s impossible to be the best version of who you want to be. When I

started to love myself a little, I began to heal, and surprisingly my body started to change, too; before then, I was reluctant to do exercise and eat well, because I had given up.

How did this new approach manifest itself?

Doing CrossFit made me start to like exercise.

Before, I’d go to a gym for four hours and end up just watching TV and hanging out. With CrossFit, it’s just an hour, I have a great time, there’s an incredible community, and I see almost immediate results.

Did it open doors in your acting career?

Yes, totally. If I hadn’t entered a community, I couldn’t have landed the roles that I did, because I didn’t believe in my abilities.

But the moment I began breaking barriers, I realised I’m capable of much more.

How was working with the Wachowskis?

The audition for Sense8 was in Mexico, and I got there a little bit late. I was nervous, but I did the scene. I thought I’d messed up, but later I found out I’d got a role – though nobody told me which one. That continued right up to when I was in San Francisco for filming. During my fitting, I asked the wardrobe person who I’d be playing, so she went to see Lana. Then Lana came to me and told me, “You are Daniela, my Daniela.”

We hugged each other and I cried.

So, what’s your ultimate goal?

To be at peace with all my decisions. Some roles give you good experiences, some bad.

I like to think I’ve taken the best from my characters, but it’s very clear to me that some have left me with scars, too. As actors, we live on the brink of insanity. We learn to look into the deepest of darkness and the shiniest of happiness. So you’d better be ready, because Eréndira Ibarra is here to stay.

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A F R I CA’S B R I G H T E ST STA RS Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio ManÊ and Asamoah Gyan are among the hottest football talent on the planet.

The globetrotting foursome will be coming home in January for the 31st edition of the Africa Cup Of Nations, taking place in Gabon, and all will be hungry to lead their team to continental glory Words: Melissa Reddy Stats: James Freemantle

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P OW E R

African footballers are often lauded for their pace and power.

These players will be stretching every sinew on the pitch at the 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations

SADIO MANÉ

GETTY IMAGES (3)

Your moment will arrive if you never stop pushing for it Barcelona had watched him. Borussia Dortmund had watched him. He was being monitored by numerous sides in the English Premier League, and he had piqued the interest of scouts from Italy’s Serie A, too. Sadio Mané’s ability to dazzle and destroy opponents during his two-year spell at Red Bull Salzburg received no shortage of attention, no surprise either, given that the winger possessed the combined assets of raw pace and sharp decision-making.

Just about every top European club had compiled a dossier on the Senegal international, but with the Austrian outfit placing a €15 million price tag on Mané, he was seen as a financial risk: could someone with such a small frame compete in a more physical, combative league?

Ultimately, the player’s diligence and will to excel – honed during his time at the Génération Foot academy in his homeland’s capital, Dakar – would put this beyond all doubt.

Mané was 12 when he was scouted

by Génération Foot – his talent was unmistakable even as a scrawny kid in Dakar – and six years later, he joined Metz as part of a partnership deal with the football school. Throughout his developmental years, it was not only the player’s quicksilver feet that impressed: his work ethic was relentless. For Mané,

it wasn’t simply about beating the full-back, laying off assists or getting his name on the scoresheet – he wanted to track back, to strangle the opposition with sustained pressing, to regain possession and set his team on the front foot once more.

Salzburg, keen to introduce a player who perfectly fitted their dynamic philosophy, parted with €4m for Mané and were repaid in kind: he fired in 45 goals during his two full seasons in Austria. When Southampton came calling in 2014, desperate to take Mané to the English Premier League, his value had risen greatly, and after some pushing from the player himself, he joined the Saints for £11.8m on a four-year deal. The team from England’s South Coast would have the same problem fending off interest from Europe’s elite as his previous club; at St Mary’s, Mané was proving he could indeed mix it – and even produce man-of-the-match performances – in a stronger league.

His former coaches at Génération Foot knew it wouldn’t be long before the attacker was on the move again. In the winter of 2015, Manchester United were circling, and Mané met up with Jurgen Klopp, then at Dortmund. No move materialised, but the Red Devils renewed their interest in January. For their part, Southampton refused to lose him mid-season, but with Mané continuing to turn in decisive displays, they couldn’t hold out when 2015/16 had ended.

Klopp, now manager of Liverpool, would not let Mané slip through his fingers again, and in June 2016 the Reds signed him for £30m. In just a few months, he became a favourite among fans and players. “It’s been very good playing with Sadio so far, but if anything he’s too fast!” jokes fellow Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho.

“That’s good, because you need this in your game. Everyone is very happy with him – he’s a nice guy and a very good player.”

Already a strong candidate for Player Of The Season, Mané is sure to tear it up on the AFCON stage after impressively powering Senegal through the qualifiers.

GUILE Every top team needs a wizard who can conjure up spells in the final third. These are the players with the creativity and flair to make a crucial difference in Africa’s showpiece football tournament

R I YA D M A H R E Z Wear your battle scars

with pride – they pave the way to your success At 18, Riyad Mahrez was playing in the eighth tier of French football; now, at 25, his name is on the shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d’Or, alongside those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Algerian is an English Premier League champion and its reigning Player Of The Year. Not bad for a guy who remains proud of his roots as a “street footballer” and who only entered the academy system at the relatively late age of 19.

In January, Mahrez will be aiming to sprinkle some stardust onto his nation’s cause, and the well-organised Algerian team, who have impressed in recent major tournaments, will be hoping he provides an x-factor that takes them to the next level. Mahrez also brings no shortage of fight to the national side; his slight build belies the hard graft that has contributed to his meteoric rise.

Mahrez’s journey to the top began as soon as he could kick a ball properly.

He was five when his dad signed him up to a club in Sarcelles, a Paris suburb he describes as “a dangerous ghetto”. As a teenager, the Algerian found it almost impossible to separate himself from the game; he would recruit players for kickabouts at ridiculous hours, skipping sleep and meals in the process.

“I remember playing sometimes at midnight or one in the morning,” Mahrez recently told Sky Sports’ Pat Davison.

“We knew a technique to open the gym.

We’d call everyone and have a big 32

tournament… The picture of me as a child is that I was always with a ball. That’s why I was so skinny – I would miss dinner. Mum would have to leave me food in the microwave.”

As Mahrez’s affinity for football grew and his on-field application increased, the person who had so encouraged and aided his pursuit of a professional career passed away. A heart condition robbed the fleet-footed player of his father, Ahmed, the man who had driven him to matches, provided an analysis on his performances, and was never short of advice. “It’s hard losing a parent, especially Dad, because he was always behind me,” he says. “It was his dream – and mine – for me to become a footballer. Where I am now is all for him.”

A move to French Ligue 2 club Le Havre – famed for its youth policy – in 2010 provided just the showcase the rising star needed. Following an impressive spell in the reserves, Mahrez was moved into the first team, where his performances really began to attract attention. In January 2014, English Championship side Leicester City signed him on a three-year deal and went on to win promotion to the Premier League. The player’s fairytale was far from finished, though: against all logic, odds and expectation, Claudio Ranieri’s men were crowned 2015/16 champions – due in no small part to Mahrez’s astonishing displays of skill, trickery and magnificent finishing. He has replicated this brilliance for Algeria, and is determined to author yet another happy ending in Gabon.

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SPEED The fastest players are often also the most destructive. This uncoachable quality can be the difference between victory and defeat

P I E R R EEMERICK AU B A M E YA N G

François, operated as a defender for club and country – has never been one for the easy route. Having joined AC Milan’s youth academy, he was loaned out four times to French clubs – Dijon, Lille, Monaco and Saint-Étienne – and failed to make a single firstteam appearance for the Italian giants. But he did not accept that his chance to represent a European powerhouse had passed him by, even when his temporary stays at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy and Monaco’s Stade Louis II didn’t go as planned.

Aubameyang upped the ante at Saint-Étienne, displaying a mix of artistry and industry that won him a permanent contract. He finished his first season – 2011/12 – as Ligue 1’s top scorer with 16 goals, adding two more, plus seven assists, across all competitions. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic – then at Paris Saint-Germain – could better his tally of 19 goals the following campaign, which saw Aubameyang lift his maiden major honour, the 2013 Coupe de la Ligue (known outside of France as the French League Cup).

Jurgen Klopp, then manager of Dortmund, was in the market for a dynamic attacker; he wanted a player who could not only destroy the opposition when in possession, but disrupt their play off the ball, too. The German wisely opted for Aubameyang – an absolute steal for €10 million in July 2013.

Aubameyang became the first Gabonese footballer to feature in the Bundesliga, and went on to be named Player Of The Season in the German top flight. He continues to smash records at Dortmund, where he is closing in on a century of goals, and there’s no doubt he’ll build on the 16 he has for his country. Aubameyang, the captain of his national team, was also eligible to play for France, but in typical fashion he decided against this less-challenging option.

“I made the decision with my heart, not my head,” he says. “Maybe it would have been easier to play for France. But going to the World Cup or winning the Ballon d’Or while playing for Gabon... that’s a bigger motivation.” And who would want to bet against him achieving that?

Bet big on yourself: if you give everything you can, it’s no gamble In October 2015, Borussia Dortmund superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang smashed in six goals in two games. FK Qabala were the first to suffer at his feet when he beat their keeper three times in a Europa League showdown; he followed this by destroying Augsburg’s previously pretty sturdy back line in the Bundesliga. The striker’s consecutive hattricks were not the consequence of fluke, but design – he had bet his brother he would achieve this. The incredible haul took Aubameyang’s tally to 20 goals across all competitions that season, which won him another wager, this time with coach Thomas Tuchel – and there were seven months of the campaign still to play.

The reigning African Footballer Of The Year, now 27, ended 2015/16 with a further 19 successful strikes, and he’s already in double figures this term.

Aubameyang has always placed a sizeable stake on himself realising his ambitions, and this has never been a risk, given the player’s tireless application to his craft.

“What people who don’t know Auba sometimes don’t realise is how hard he’s working for what he wants to achieve,” reveals his Dortmund teammate and close friend Marco Reus.

Aubameyang, who was raised in a football-mad family – his father, Pierre 34

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EXPERIENCE Some of the players at AFCON 2017 will have been around the block a few times. But when the pressure’s on, familiarity with the demands of a major tournament can be invaluable

ASA M OA H GYA N Don’t just make

a mark, make a difference

Asamoah Gyan got off the mark for Ghana before his 18th birthday, scoring on his international debut in 2003.

Having just celebrated turning 31, the striker is two short of recording an incredible half-century for his country.

No player has found the back of the net more times (48) for the Black Stars than Gyan, nor has any other Ghanaian won more international caps (95). Over the past decade, as Ghana finally entered the global stage by qualifying for three consecutive World Cup tournaments, he has been their focal point, their reference, their benchmark of excellence.

After 13 years of service, Gyan has surpassed simply being the man for goals and the man with the armband – he is the man who makes a difference on the pitch and beyond.

Although Gyan, who is Africa’s top goalscorer at the World Cup – he has netted six, the same number as France’s Thierry Henry, Germany’s Lothar Matthäus and the Netherlands’ Dennis Bergkamp – has not escaped criticism for his performances, he is a heavily influential figure. As his Ghanaian teammate and FC Lorient attacker Abdul Majeed Waris explains, “Everyone would love him in their team, because he can score at any time and make things happen.

We also learn a lot from him. Every time he’s around, it’s something very good for the rest of us. He’s a nice guy and always motivates the players to keep on going.

Even if he’s not with the team, he sends a lot of messages to support and encourage us.”

Unfortunately, Gyan’s contribution to his national team may only be truly appreciated by all after the fact, because while he has played a part in many of Ghanaian football’s greatest moments, he has also contributed to some of its disappointments. Two of the most memorable instances are the striker’s missed penalties in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final and then the last four of the Africa Cup Of Nations two years later. But it’s unfair that these blemishes should overshadow his efforts in getting the Black Stars so far in the first place; it’ll be no easy task to unseat him at the top table for goals and appearances.

At club level, Gyan has played in and got the better of defences in the leagues of six different countries.

While there’s a valid argument that he has sacrificed his career advancement for cash windfalls, his ability to adapt and conquer a variety of challenges is impressive nonetheless. The Accra-born ace could still cut it in Serie A, the Premier League or Ligue 1, so it’s disappointing that instead he has opted for transfers to China and the United Arab Emirates (he currently plays for Arabian Gulf League club Al Ahli). He has always given something back, though, and aside from his football contributions, Gyan has undertaken several humanitarian projects in Ghana through his foundation. He also provides the country’s rising boxing talents with a platform to develop and thrive.

Gyan’s impact will linger long after he has called time on his career; not many players can look back at such a storied and powerful legacy.

37

40 THINGS

WORDS Werner Jessner

FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

YOU NEED TO KNOW TO TAKE ON THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST RALLY

The Dakar Rally is perhaps the toughest, and most dangerous, motorsport event in the world. The 39th outing gets underway on January 2 in Asunción, Paraguay

39

Nº 01

WHAT DO I NEED TO LINE UP FOR THE START OF THE DAKAR? You need a motorsport licence. And to get the class needed for Dakar you need to prove your physical and mental abilities. Then you work your way up to the Dakar by taking part in smaller events, like the one in Morocco. Dakar rookies also need to submit a detailed application. Only then do the organisers decide whether you’re up to the task. There’s also one other thing that will help you not only start your first Dakar, but also finish it – humility… and maybe a 10 per cent cushion of ability.

How do I drive at speed and drink?

For the daytime we recommend a hydration pack with a solution of water, mineral salts, electrolytes and dissolved energy gels. The drivers can just hang the pack on the backrest.

Nº 02

Nº 06

Why is a rally named after an African city held in South America?

Nº 03

Is this a total boys’ club?

The 2008 rally was called off because of terror threats in Africa and in 2009 it moved to South America, which was both safer and had greater public appeal. But as the Dakar name was synonymous with cross-country rallies, the organisers kept it. There’s not much chance of it moving back to Africa either. Interest in South America is phenomenal. Every participant is a star. Plus, the added value to the local economy is about $300 million a year.

Not at all. Germany’s Jutta Kleinschmidt won it in 2001, and that was up against an otherwise all male line-up.

Spain’s Laia Sanz came ninth in the motorcycle class in 2015.

Does everyone start together?

No. The bikes and quads start ahead of the cars with the trucks setting off last. It’s exciting when the quick cars come up against the slowest bikes and the former can no longer see and the latter can no longer be seen. The order within the groups is interesting, too, because the quickest participant from the day before gets things underway and has to set the pace. A lot of participants proceed tactically and deliberately fall off the pace some days.

REUTERS/JACKY NAEGELEN, GETTY IMAGES

Nº 04

Do I need a driving licence?

Yes, because between the special stages you have to drive on public roads in regular traffic.

Nº 05

Nº 07

How can you lose your way when you have GPS and a roadbook?

Because you follow the wrong competitors and it turns out they haven’t chosen the right route. Because you’re exhausted after a week of sleep deprivation, extreme altitude, huge physical exertion and, in all likelihood, diarrhoea. Because you forget to move the roadbook forward electronically. Because you dislodged the GPS mount on your vehicle the last time you crashed. Or possibly because – and this is the worst reason of all – you miss one of the GPS checkpoints, and that means you’re out of the race.

41

Nº 13

Do I need to be at full tilt all the time?

How many people live in the bivouac?

With all the mechanics, organisational crew, media, medical staff, cooks’ etc, the total number of people in the bivouac, the Dakar’s travelling base, comes to about 3,000. The size of a small town.

Why is the Dakar such a gruelling event?

Because you don’t get enough sleep, you’re driving for extended periods across treacherous terrain; you’re going too fast, while on the road sections you’re debilitatingly slow. Because the other competitors are the best the world has to offer. Because all those little injuries add up and every tiny mistake is potentially lethal. Because it’s boiling hot and freezing cold and you’re not used to being 4,000m above sea level.

All of that really.

Nº 09

DO I ALWAYS HAVE TO STAY ON THE COURSE? Nº 11

If you know a shortcut, take it.

But whatever you do, don’t miss a GPS checkpoint.

What happened to Margaret Thatcher’s son?

In 1982, Mark Thatcher managed to get so lost during in the Dakar in his Peugeot 504 that even the Algerian Army needed six days to track him down, some 50km off course. The search for Thatcher generated international headlines and much harsh criticism for the somewhat unpopular offspring of a divisive British Prime Minister. “I did absolutely no preparation.

Nothing,” the self-styled gentleman driver confessed afterwards. Top man.

Nº 12

Nº 10

How do you go to the loo when you’re racing?

It depends on how desperate you are. Remember that you’re a competitive driver, not an overalls model. The good news is that you sweat a lot of liquid out anyway.

42

Who has made the most starts?

Japan’s Yoshimasa Sugawara has taken part in the race 33 times consecutively: first on a bike at the age of 41 in 1983; then seven times in a car; and he’s been racing in the truck category since 1992. His mechanics always know to observe etiquette.

Whenever Sugawara San, now 75, rolls into the bivouac, they bow, as tradition demands.

Nº 14

Which licence plate has been on the podium the most times?

BR, which stands for Braunau in Austria. It’s where the factory KTM bikes are registered, and they’ve won 15 times in a row.

Nº 15

Nº 16

What do I wear?

Good question. You’ll have to cope with temperatures from freezing to +40˚C. Jackets with a good inner lining and body-warmers provide excellent protection against cold.

You’re going to sweat whatever.

PHILIPP HORAK (2), ASO/@WORLD/A LAVADINHO/A VIALATTE (2), REUTERS

Nº 08

No, you can take your time on the sections between the special stages. But you should be at the bivouac in time for the evening driver briefing – usually held at 9 or 10pm – at the latest.

Nº 17

WHY DO I HAVE TO GET UP AT 4AM ?

Because you won’t cover nigh-on 8,500km in just two weeks otherwise.

Nº 18

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

FELIPE TRUEBA/EFE/PICTUREDESK.COM, FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Hopefully you won’t have lost consciousness and you can make the emergency call yourself, which sets the rescue procedure in motion and automatically takes you out of the race.

If you’re lying in a ditch somewhere, unconscious and immobile, you have to hope that one of your fellow competitors stumbles across you.

The good news is that sportsmen and women come together in extreme situations, and the race will come to a brief halt.

Nº 19

Who’s likely to win this time out?

The current title-holders are Stéphane Peterhansel (above, car), Toby Price (bike) and Gerard de Rooy (truck). But watch out for Sébastien Loeb, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Carlos Sainz in the cars, Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner on the bikes and the spectacular Kamaz trucks.

Where do I sleep?

BIVOUAC RULE 1: Rocky ground for your pop-up tent is better than a bed an hour’s drive away. RULE 2: Avoid hotspots like toilets, showers and food distribution centres.

RULE 3: Avoid big teams as they attract a lot of attention.

RULE 4: Avoid gentlemen drivers/riders as they often spend the night fettling their hard-pressed charges. RULE 5: Avoid generators. RULE 6: Avoid jolly people. RULE 7: Basically, avoid everyone.

Nº 20

What’s the food like?

There’s pasta, rice, vegetables, meat and fish, plus dessert and salad. There’s also a packed lunch with tinned foods, plus water and soft drinks.

Nº 21

HOW AM I GOING TO SLEEP? Nº 22

Badly.

45

Are there speeding tickets?

What do I get if I win the Dakar?

You better believe it! There are severe penalties for speeding infringements on the road sections between the racing stages. Every kilometre over the speed limit counts and is calculated by GPS. How severe are the penalties?

Take your regular speeding fine and add a 0 on the end.

Nº 31

Honour and glory, and a nice trophy, because with just €58,000 prize money on offer for top spot, you’re not likely to be in this for the cash. If you win in your category, you get €5,000.

But if you exploit your victory well, you’ll never go hungry.

Nº 23

Nº 26

Who will repair my car if it breaks down?

Your co-driver. Provided, that is, you’ve teamed up with him/her based on mechanical engineering abilities as well as navigational skills. Alternatively, repair it with your own fair hands. For the bikers, option B is all you’ve got.

Where do I wash?

In a mobile shower with cold water, if need be. Don’t forget to bring your flip-flops.

Nº 27

How much bad luck might I face?

Two-time motocross World Champ Heinz Kinigadner has started the Dakar seven times, but has yet to finish; he even had to retire when in contention for the win.

The Red Bulletin: What were the reasons for your retirements?

Heinz Kinigadner: I retired because of technical failure three times and crashed four times.

What caused the crashes?

On every occasion it was because I’d lost time due to problems and then I tried to sledgehammer my way back up the field. But try to do that on the Dakar and you end up in a helicopter – the rescue helicopter.

Do you think of yourself as jinxed?

Not at all. I’ve had so many experiences. At my very first Dakar, a dockworker discharging a shipment was decapitated by a steel cable in front of the drivers’ eyes. When things like that happen, it immediately puts sport into perspective. So being part of the Dakar seven times is definitely a case of good luck, not bad.

Can your co-driver take the wheel?

Nº 25 46

WHO’S GOING TO DO MY LAUNDRY? Nº 28

Nº 24

Yes. But he’ll need a race licence.

No one.

How did the Dakar begin?

Frenchman Nº 30 Thierry Sabine first beckoned people to the starting line on December 26, 1978 and 170 competitors heeded his call. Right from the outset, the rally, which originally went from Paris to the Senegalese capital, Dakar, was intended as the toughest test possible for man and machine. Sabine’s motto was: “If life gets boring, risk it!”

Sabine died in a helicopter crash in 1986… during the rally, of course.

Nº 32

Where do I fill up?

In addition to local infrastructure, the organisers arrange fuel stops, which normally mean a barrel with a pump or tankers by the side of the road. On the road sections you just go to regular petrol stations.

What do the doctors treat?

Altitude sickness, diarrhoea, grazes, bruises. Real hard nuts – such as Chris Birch in 2012 – even make it through to the end of the race with broken bones, in his case it was a broken ankle.

Nº 33

Nº 34

Do the trucks race too?

Nº 29

Why are there so many buttons and switches in the cockpit?

Because (almost) all the functions have a back-up in case they fail – just like on an aeroplane. A glance inside the Peugeot 3008 DKR reveals two GPS devices, two TripMasters and a stopwatch. The fuses in the centre are exposed so you can quickly get to the bottom of any technical trouble. The most vital source of information for the driver is the central gear indicator.

And, yes, there is air-con. It keeps the temperature below 60 degrees.

Not all of them. Some trucks – the Kamaz and Ivecos, for example – are in it to win. Many others, however, are there to play a supporting role, carrying spares and other equipment in case the cars and bikes that started ahead of them have technical problems.

Even though these trucks reach speeds of 160kph and have competition numbers – which they need in order to be allowed to enter the special stages – the actual race result for them is of no importance, because they have other duties to fulfil.

THE RED BULLETIN

Nº 35

HOW MANY HOURS A DAY WILL I BE ON THE ROAD?

PICTUREDESK.COM (2), MARCO ROSSI, FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, REUTERS, FREDERIC LE FLOC‘H/DPPI

Bear in mind that you’ll have to take down your tent at 4am, leave the bivouac at five, following a quick breakfast, then do 300km in regular traffic, then another 300 with your foot to the floor, and then 200 more in regular traffic again to get to the next bivouac. Your Dakar job is more five-to-nine than it is nine-to-five.

Nº 36

WHAT DOES A WINNING CAR LOOK LIKE? Like the Peugeot 3008 DKR, a marked improvement on the winning 2008 DKR from last year. The regulations favour rear-wheel drive, so Peugeot have dispensed with all-wheel drive. Air to the twin-turbo diesel engine is restricted, but it still generates 340hp and can reach speeds of 200kph. At 46cm, the 3008 DKR’s springs are so big that in theory it could drive over an armchair and the drivers wouldn’t feel it.

It takes seconds to get the spare wheels out in case of a breakdown, and the car is lighter and betterbalanced than in 2016.

It all looks good for a successful title defence.

Nº 37

What do I do if I hit an animal?

Put it on the barbeque. South American steaks are the stuff of legend.

How much money will I need?

How much have you got? The poorest competitors go it alone in the motorbike category. But then you have to do everything yourself.

So you’re looking at:

Nº 38

¤24,000 A KTM Adventure bike with a ‘ready-to-race’ Dakar package ¤14,800 Starter’s fee

WHEN AM I GOING TO WIN? Nº 39

If you’re a world-class athlete, no earlier than your third outing.

See how it works, get good at it, win.

Otherwise, never.

¤10,000 Spare parts ¤3,000 Rider’s equipment ¤2,000 Flights ¤1,000 Licence and attestation ¤1,000 Visa, small gifts, internet access, etc

FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, GETTY IMAGES

Alternatively, sign up with a KTM satellite team for €90,000. That gets you your own mechanic, too.

Accompanying staff generally cost extra. The fees are staggered according to when you register, starting at €9,000 per assistant. And as they’re coming along for the ride, you have to register every support car, too. A car will set you back €2,500, and a motorhome costs €6,000.

ONE MORE LITTLE TIP: A can of Red Bull is now an internationally accepted currency at the Dakar, in the same way that packets of pencils, biros, baseball caps and sweets used to be.

How can I keep track of the rally?

Red Bull TV and redbull.com will bring you spectacular footage.

Nº 40

SÉBASTIEN LOEB – OFF ROADS ON DEMAND Five months on Loeb’s heels. What gives the nine-time World Rally Champion the motivation to tackle the Dakar adventure once again?

PAYING THE PRICE PREMIERE: DECEMBER 20 Toby Price dominated the 2016 Dakar and won it convincingly.

The secret of the Australian rider’s success? Blood, sweat and tears.

THE KAMAZ STORY PREMIERE: DECEMBER 20 Russian team Kamaz have put together a whole new race truck for 2017. A documentary crew followed its progress.

MATTHIAS WALKNER PREMIERE: DECEMBER 27 Austrian motorcyclist Walkner was severely injured in a crash at the 2016 Dakar, but didn’t give up.

Red Bull TV shows his way back.

THE DAKAR RALLY LIVE FROM JANUARY 2-14

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JUST LIKE STARTING OVER Nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb is going back to basics in pursuit of the ultimate rallying victory – the Dakar.

Is this the race that breaks a legend?

FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Words: PH Camy

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THE RED BULLETIN

SĂŠbastien Loeb at the start of his second Dakar Rally in his Peugeot 3008 DKR, equipped with the experience from his first outing last year

the red bulletin: Tell us honestly, are we talking to a nine-time World Rally Champion or a rookie? sébastien loeb : You’re talking to a racing driver.

When I get up in the morning, I don’t say to myself, ‘I’m a nine-time world champion.’

Of course it’s something I’m proud of, but I don’t think about it that often.

You could have retired as the king of rallying back in 2013 when you weren’t yet 40. But rather than do that, you decided to devote yourself to a new event instead and gamble your halo in the process.

How much of an inner struggle was it to make that decision?

A lot less of one than you might think. I’ve never raced because I wanted to be someone in particular.

I’ve raced because racing is my passion. Maintaining an image isn’t something to aim for. My aim is to live my life the way I see fit. The joy of driving, the ambition, the competitive spirit… Those are the things that spur me on.

What does it feel like to transform from legend into relative beginner?

I feel the same as I did before.

Because I’m not the type of person who spends his time keeping track of his feelings.

I’m the type to work to improve my performance and results instead.

In 2014 and 2015, you took part in the World Touring Car Championship.

You went straight into the lead and won races, but in the overall standings you ended up behind your young rival, José María López. What was it like dealing with failure?

Of course there are times when not winning is frustrating, but you’ve got to accept the results as they 52

Although he didn’t win the rally, Sébastien Loeb took victory on four stages in his first Dakar in 2016 THE RED BULLETIN

From the road to the track: Loeb’s 2017 Dakar Rally Peugeot 3008 DKR looks like a regular SUV

FLAVIEN DUHAMEL/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

“The Dakar Rally requires a complete rethink of the way you operate” come. At the end of the day, López was better than me.

It’s annoying, but that’s life! (He laughs.) But, most importantly of all, it didn’t stop me enjoying the races.

What does a nine-time world champion learn from defeat? Or does he only now learn things from defeat?

First, I had a realisation: the nature of rallying fits in perfectly with my own nature – the driving itself, the exploration, the improvisation, having to interpret the landscape.

Other things were more important on WTCC circuits – analysis, observation, learning every turn, genning up, repeating it over and over again... That was hard and often not much fun.

So you took up rallycross in 2016... If the job description is anything to go by, then

it should have suited you right down to the ground, shouldn’t it?

Indeed. It was a return to natural motor racing for me.

It’s just more relaxed. You never know what to expect in advance. That’s wonderful, don’t you think? Plus you had your rivals on the course with you. When you’re the quickest in a rally, you’re the quickest and that’s all there is to it. But in rallycross it depends on how the others perform, too. And that’s really exciting. You’re in a massively powerful car and there’s serious jostling for position and you’ve got to come through the field.

A spectacle with that format is ideal for TV. Was the first Dakar Rally you drove in January 2016 the ultimate challenge for Sébastien Loeb?

I lined up at the start as a rookie, as did my co-driver [Daniel Elena] who I won all nine of my WRC titles with. We didn’t have that special experience you need on rallies like the Dakar to find the right course or find our rhythm. We both had to start from scratch.

Doesn’t your record tally of rally wins help at least a bit?

You start from scratch, or near enough. There’s no script or anything to tell you that what you’re doing is right in the Dakar Rally. You go headlong into this adventure armed only with the roadbook and you end up in these places you know nothing about. One of the things Daniel’s roadbook said was that we had to go through 10km of rainforest and at some point we’d hit a road. So we drove those 10km and came to the last 500m, 400m, 300m, and then zero, but there was no road to be seen for love nor money. So what were we meant to do?

So Sébastien Loeb had to learn the right way to lose his bearings?

The problem isn’t so much the getting lost. Even the best people get lost. The important thing is to find the way to get back on track quickly. At times like those, it’s not about driving a car as fast as you can. Thinking, driving and communicating with your co-driver all at the same time is a really fascinating challenge. Daniel and I might have built up a lot of experience together, but the Dakar Rally requires a complete rethink of the way you operate.

After so many years of faultless rallying with Daniel at your side, how frustrating was it when he made a mistake during the Dakar? Could you accept that sort of thing?

Yes, even though it was frustrating. Two days before the end of the Silk Way Rally [a rally raid of 10,700km between Russia and China held in July 2016], Daniel made me miss two way points and we were penalised by four hours. That was the end as far as we were concerned. That was all part of the experience and the learning process, both for me and for Daniel.

Is the reverse also true, that Daniel’s success depends on you not making mistakes?

Of course. It was my mistake when we rolled the car at the Dakar last year. But there’s no point asking whose fault it was.

We all have to learn from our own mistakes!

So, on balance, is it really worth the hassle of starting anew in unfamiliar territory?

I’m living out my passion. That’s the crux of the matter.

Driving and racing itself are what I love most and what I’m best at. So is it worth it? You bet it is!

People think that an exceptional driver must by definition be a good driver. Is that the case?

There are different categories of driving and with that we have different ways of being good. Rallycross and the Dakar Rally are two events that suit me, even though they’re at opposite ends of the motorsport spectrum: a two-minute sprint and a six-hour-long haul.

With the depth of experience that you now have, would you be an even better driver if you went back to rallying?

I’ve learned more about efficiency and my driving style. But the fact that I haven’t driven in any rallies for years would no doubt cancel out whatever advantage I’ve gained from my other achievements. Whether that would make me better or worse, I don’t know. peugeot-sport.com

THE RED BULLETIN

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HEROES

“YOU CAN’T BOX ME, OR LIMIT ME” MOONCHILD SANELLY She found her artistic ambition in a unique fusion of music, dance, fashion and kooky sexuality. She’s also 100 per cent real

the red bulletin: What do you call your style? moonchild sanelly: Future Ghetto Funk. It’s a combination of music, fashion and dance.

How do you fit those things together?

When I write a song, I see an animated version in my mind. Like a cartoon character who’s always lazy and doesn’t wanna have sex. Then I shoot him with laser beams. I’m very powerful as a cartoon character, always liberating women. It’s all about sex, 54

cartoons and liberation.

Not a raunchy type of sexy, it’s a playful sexy.

Do you produce your own tracks?

No. I produce notes. I’ll get someone who hears me proper to do that, like Tshepang Ramoba of Blk Jks. How did you guys start working together?

We met at the Kitchener’s open mic when I’d just moved to Joburg from Durban.

What made you decide to move?

I was in my final year at UKZN studying business and

aesthetic with promiscuity and irresponsible behaviour.

Music and sex are inseparable.

But it’s not a stage persona.

This is my personality. I’m very sexual. Period. And the audience vibes with it. At first they’re shocked. Sometimes I’ll start with Kiss And Pop, a very sexual song with a sexy dance. You either get out, or you join in. No in between.

Do you still want more?

Of course! I refuse to be one of those people who’re making pioneering sounds, but only make it overseas. I want to make it in South Africa and overseas. I refuse to choose one. I’m gonna go shoot a video with Weird Together

“DON’T CONFUSE MY MUSIC AND MY AESTHETIC WITH PROMISCUITY AND IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR” fashion. I was designing, singing, doing poetry and working on tracks. Then I read this book, The Artist’s Way [a self-help book about creativity by Julia Cameron].

That book made me realise that I wanted more. I needed to make my ideas happen.

I was in a relationship that was, like, ideas galore, but not action galore. By the time I’d finished that book, I’d decided I wasn’t gonna take it. I left and came to Joburg.

“Just because I’m from South Africa, doesn’t mean I’m going to talk about the mountains and the valleys and the Big Five. We’re overpopulated and we have a lot of HIV because we have a lot of sex! Now I’m going to tell you about our sex.” After that they partied.

Was your sexy style a conscious decision?

Yes, but I’m about responsible sex. I post on Instagram when I do my HIV test. So you don’t confuse my message and my

in Tokyo. It’s also Xhonglish [Sanelly’s English/isiXhosa hybrid language].

Xhosa and English in Japan?

Ja. This year, I’m showing my different sides. The jazz background, the writing background… Xhosa and English overseas… You can’t box me, or limit me. I’m very diverse. I can do anything. I just choose what I want to do.

Hagen Engler soundcloud.com/moonchild-sanelly THE RED BULLETIN

JONATHAN FERREIRA

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he arrives at Joburg restaurant the Foundry and instantly owns it.

Her multi-coloured nylon catsuit has heads snapping round, as does her blazing blue hair. But it’s the non-stop conversational bars she drops and her vibrant presence that has everyone asking, “Who is that?”

Who it is, is Moonchild, aka Moonchild Sanelly, singer, dancer, designer, poet, and one-off African electro phenomenon who’s about to take us on a ricochet journey through sex, music and making things happen.

How did you find the Joburg scene?

Joburg people are territorial.

I was new in Joburg, but not new on stage. I’ve had to lie so many times to get onto a stage. If they say it’s rappers only, I’ll say, “I’m a rapper” and just change the song into raps.

How do you communicate ideas to a producer?

I visualise the dance moves.

I say, “Make it make me do this!” I don’t know any other way. I didn’t study music.

I say, “I wanna do this on the chorus, when I dance.”

Have the audiences enjoyed your overseas shows?

At Midem, in France, I stood on the table in this packed venue, in my panties, and said,

Moonchild Sanelly, 29, writes songs like a very powerful cartoon character

“EVERYONE CAN BE A HERO” SCOTT NICHOLSON The games expert likes nothing

T Mads Mikkelsen plays Death Star designer Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

“I’M A REALLY MEAN WINNER” MADS MIKKELSEN Whether he’s smashing it on court or designing the Death Star, Hollywood’s great Dane is all about power ball the red bulletin: Do you believe in the Force? mads mikkelsen: There are certain aspects I can identify with, like the idea of trusting yourself or that anything can happen.

Can you feel the Force yourself?

Of course. Especially when I’m playing ball games.

Really? What does it feel like?

Like total flow. You forget everything when you run around after a ball. That kind of improvisation – I just love it.

And what about winning, is that important to you?

Very. I’m a sore loser. But I’m also a really mean winner.

What’s the definition of a really mean winner?

Someone who brags shamelessly after they’ve won.

What’s the greatest victory you’ve ever had?

It was a handball goal I scored in my youth.

And your worst defeat?

I completely wipe those from my memory. Rüdiger Sturm starwars.com

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he red bulletin: In your case, we can honestly say that you’re someone who’s turned his hobby into a career. scott nicholson: Yes, I’ve been a lifelong gamer, be that board games, gamer video games or role-playing games. I’m currently doing research into why it is we enjoy them. And I’m designing new games with my students.

What makes games the stuff of science?

Games help us explore the world. A talented gamer is able to find their way in real life better, too. A lot of the everyday skills that we all have actually come from playing games. As adults, we often forget the power of play.

You’re a professor of game design and development at Wilfrid Laurier University in Brantford, Canada. The motto of your Games Network Lab is, ‘Changing the World through Games’.

How can games change the world?

I encourage my students to design games that let people find their own meaning in a game. Real gamers will lose interest if it is just about scoring points or nabbing prizes. And if a good game has a connection to the outside world, then it can change that world.

Can you give us an example?

Foldit is a fantastic example.

It’s a puzzle game about DNA sequencing, where you have to fold proteins creatively. By playing the game you are helping actual researchers solve actual problems. Games can also change the world by helping people train their social and co-operative skills. That is why I find escape room games so extremely interesting.

What is it about escape that you find so exciting?

Escape games are sociable and all about communication.

A small team solves a range of complex riddles and in so doing tries to get out of an enclosed space together.

Co-operation is the decisive factor. You either win as a team or you lose as a team.

Every well-designed escape room has riddles that you need various skills for: dexterity, quick thinking, leadership qualities. Which means that very different people love to play escape rooms for different reasons.

Any player can become the hero of the group at some point or other.

What is it usually that makes a game into a good game?

Everybody loves hearing stories we can learn something from. And game designers are today’s storytellers. I always say to my students that they have to deploy their power correctly. Don’t just use a generic pasted-on theme.

Tell your own story.

Clemens Stachel redbullmindgamers.com THE RED BULLETIN

JASON BELL ©2016 MARVEL, NICK WONG

better than building escape games, because they make us smarter and more sociable

Scott Nicholson, 54, has a gaming understanding of the world: “We’re today’s storytellers”

“AM I A BUDDHIST? NO. I’M A RATIONALIST” DAVID LAMA Setting lofty goals is second nature

to this climber, because he his able to change his plans in crucial moments

the red bulletin: You chose a pursuit in which the slightest mistake could have lethal consequences... david lama: That may well be true, but it doesn’t mean that I make decisions when I’m out on expeditions any differently from how I do in my regular life. It’s a matter of experience and self-evaluation.

In your films, you come across as relaxed, cool and 58

composed. It doesn’t matter whether you’re thousands of metres up a rock-face, climbing on an icy ridge in the middle of the night or having to give up on an expedition that’s been years in the making. You always exude a Buddhist calm.

What you call Buddhism is in fact rationality. If I had to describe the mindset of successful mountaineers in as few words as possible, I’d say it was rational and objective.

That’s the opposite of what you’d expect to hear from a person at the top of their

the remoteness of the route.

We’re going again next year.

As a mountaineer, you have a reputation to look after. How do you cope with failed expeditions?

Obviously you always want to be successful. But regardless of the outcome, any expedition still offers hundreds of experiences you can learn from. For example, in November 2015, I climbed Lunag Ri, which no one had ever climbed before, with the very experienced American climber Conrad Anker. When the weather forecast promised -35˚C for that night, Conrad said, “At least we know it’s going to be cold.” You must think that totally banal, right?

“IT WAS GOING TO BE -35˚C THAT NIGHT. ‘COOL,’ SAID CONRAD, ‘AT LEAST WE KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE COLD’” game. Aren’t successful people often hell-bent on getting their own way?

It’s not about trying to pull off something sensational.

We wouldn’t climb a rockface where we didn’t have a chance of making it to the summit. We make a rational decision. You know your climbing partner; you study the weather; you calculate the risk of error.

And yet still you might not succeed. In the spring, you

In mountaineering, you constantly have to check your perceptions against reality.

After all, a plan is only an idea.

And an idea is a fleeting thing.

There are 41 mountains on the Earth taller than Annapurna III. What is it about that mountain that appeals to you?

No one has ever climbed the south-east ridge. First ascents are the core of mountaineering for me. Then it’s the level of difficulty and

Just a little bit!

But I learned something from Conrad’s composure. There’s no point in moaning about bad news. Any information is a good thing. In this case, we knew we had to pack an extra gas cartridge. Believe me, on an expedition, these little details can be what ends up making all the difference.

Andreas Rottenschlager Find out more about David Lama’s film projects: david-lama.com THE RED BULLETIN

MANUEL FERRIGATO

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ustrian David Lama was the first to free climb probably the world’s toughest peak – Cerro Torre in Patagonia – and wrote alpine history in the process.

What made his ascent so impressive, was that his first attempt at the jagged, 3,128m spire failed. In two new documentaries, Lama can be seen pushing his limits and dealing with disappointment as he attempts to make the first ascent of the south-east face of Annapurna III (7,555m) and the first-ever ascent of Lunag Ri (6,895m) in Nepal.

The Red Bulletin spoke to him about staying cool when the pressure is at its highest.

had to turn back on the south-east ridge of Annapurna III in Nepal…

The bad weather made success impossible. It’s irrelevant whether you call it failure or not. Making any other decision would have been wrong.

All the preparation, which would have taken months, went up in smoke at that moment. You came across as though you didn’t care.

Obviously it’s annoying. But making rational decisions also means that you constantly have to change your plans.

It’s as simple as that.

Most top-level sportspeople would say the opposite: “Be ruthless. Don’t let obstacles get in the way of success.”

David Lama, 26: “It’s irrelevant whether you call it failure or not. It’s all about the quality of the decisions you make”

Danny MacAskill executes a log slide for his latest film, shot in Blair Atholl in Perthshire, Scotland

ATTEMPT, SUCCEED, REPEAT DANNY MACASKILL IS KING OF THE VIRAL CYCLING VIDEO, BUT HOW DID HE ENSURE THAT HIS LATEST FILM TOPPED THE LAST? SIMPLE: HE TOOK A BEATING AND GOT HIS MATES TO FILM IT. THE PROCESS TAUGHT HIM THAT FAILING IN FRONT OF FRIENDS CAN DELIVER PERFECTION AND ALSO REDEFINE WHAT’S POSSIBLE… WORDS: MATTHEW RAY PHOTOGRAPHY: FRED MURRAY 60

“I’M LUCKY TO HAVE FRIENDS WHO SHARE MY MOTIVATION AND CAN DOCUMENT IT IN A WAY THAT FITS WITH THE IMAGE IN MY HEAD”

S Danny MacAskill’s career highlights range from the death-defying – including his 2014 ride along the knifeedge, 992m-high Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye – to the breathtakingly creative. His stunning 2013 film, Imaginate, has notched up more than 56 million views on YouTube

ummer in Blair Atholl, Scotland. Shards of sunlight pierce the line of trees, illuminating purple foxgloves on an overgrown bank.

A young bulldog bounds through the undergrowth, snapping at lazily buzzing flies. So far, so bucolic… until the peace is shattered by a jarring mechanical clatter and the crunch of tyres ripping down a trail.

The bike spits dirt up the side of the bank, but rather than it popping off the lip, the rider’s legs buckle, sending his body under the bike and rotating it so he’s upside down and travelling sideways with the top of his helmet about 0.5m off the deck.

Free-wheeling hubs buzz and whine like bullets ricocheting off tin plates as the rider begins to corkscrew out of the barrel roll. He’s coming up short, though, running out of time to fully rotate and land on his wheels. There’s an agonising moment when you think he might drag it back into shape, but the momentum simply isn’t there and he crashes, backfirst, onto some thoughtfully placed mats, although when he pops up again the clods of dirt hanging from his jersey and backpack testify to the fact that he

has definitely decked out. “Raspberries!” howls Danny MacAskill with surprising politeness for a man who has failed to land a trick he’s been pushing for all day.

As the world’s most famous street trials rider, MacAskill has racked up tens of millions of views of his stunning trials and MTB films, regularly breaking the internet with each new release, ever since his April 2009 video for Inspired Bicycles went viral. Slick, lusciously orchestrated and apparently seamless, the Scot’s movies are small works of art, showcasing his jaw-dropping skills.

Today, though, is far from seamless.

Today, MacAskill is just a guy who can’t dial a trick for the cameras. A guy who’s hauling himself up from mats placed in the landing area to test the trick. A guy scrubbing mud and dirt from his pants and resisting the urge to swear violently.

A guy about to hit the reset button for the umpteenth time as he works through hour after gruelling hour shooting his latest film, Danny MacAskill’s Wee Day Out. It’s no surprise, though, because the trick MacAskill is attempting is a ‘scrub barrel roll’, which has never been landed before on a mountain bike.

“He did one into a foam pit to learn the movement, but that was three weeks ago now,” explains set-builder and jumpcrafter Nash Masson. But smacking his back off the ground isn’t even the danger 63

for MacAskill: “It’s that his bike hits and spits him off the highside, catapulting him off into the bushes.”

Everyone seems surprisingly relaxed about this possibility – except MacAskill.

“It’s so blind,” he says. “The landing is nowhere to be seen from the top of the run-in; all I can see are rhododendrons!”

He’s grinning, but also nervously stamping down the dirt on the take-off.

Masson offers to spot MacAskill as he preps for another attempt. “Not a bad idea – you can put me in the recovery position,” MacAskill replies drily.

It’s an offhand remark, but the risks are real enough – he has spent a lot of time off the bike while recovering from injuries including three broken collarbones, two broken feet, a meniscus tear, and a torn disc in his back, which required surgery.

“For a few years after the operation, my body was quite weak,” says MacAskill, “so the idea of doing a front flip off a drop or over a sign onto hard ground… well, there’s the feeling that if I land arse-first, is my back going to hold?”

He blasts past again. It’s almost too fast to follow, but very smooth. The mats are dragged away and he wheels his bike back to the top of the steep run-in – a track interrupted by a dry stone wall that he has to ‘American bunny hop’ over.

MacAskill’s on his pedals, holding a track stand. He takes three long, deep breaths and the atmosphere suddenly becomes brittle. “OK… 3, 2, 1, I’m coming in!” This time, there’s no hesitation. He hits the take-off and executes a perfect scrub barrel roll, outrageously close to the top of the bank. It has the whole crew whooping. “Dialled it!” shouts Masson, “straight down the middle of the landing – that was so low!”

Suddenly it’s all smiles and high fives as the tension dissipates. MacAskill has a slightly disbelieving look on his face, the opposite of chest-beating bravado. As his eyes flashed past mid-roll, it looked like he’d spotted the landing, but apparently not. “I can’t see anything from the takeoff to the landing; the first I know is when I’m rolling down the slope. I feel amazing.”

The sense of achievement comes not only from being the first to nail the trick; it’s also reward for a gruelling schedule during which, over several months, he will run through moves hundreds of times before the right trick in the right shot is delivered. On the road to eye-popping fluidity, there are a lot of missed chances, numerous retakes and often a lot of pain.

The film’s log-slide sequence is a case in point: MacAskill spent several days taking a hellacious beating at the hands 64

of his own creativity. He’s not known for BMX-style grinds, but when the crew found a rotten, algae-covered log in the forest, MacAskill thought people would be able to relate to him jumping onto it, sliding along the top on his crank and tyres, then jumping off with a 1.7m drop.

“It was an absolute nightmare,” says MacAskill. “Hang on, let me show you my gear…” He pulls some red shorts from his bag that look like they have been painted with asphalt. They’re beyond filthy. “The log was a bit too rotten. My bashguard and chain ring were digging in, so it gradually deteriorated and caught a bit more each time. I was having a total shit-show.”

So it took a few goes? “Try hundreds – hundreds of takes over three days. In the end, we resorted to buying a few tubs of Vaseline, because we had rubbed off all the algae after 100 takes or so.

“It was a fairly soft landing, but I still put myself through the mill. I tweaked the ligaments in my shoulders that hold down the collarbones. I probably had 40 big crashes onto my face, back and shoulders.”

There was never any hint of admitting defeat, however, and MacAskill concedes that completing the sequences often comes down to indefatigable obstinacy.

Above, from top: it’s not easy nailing a trick first time for the camera; the crew – (left to right) Dave Mackison, MacAskill, Stu Thomson and Nash Masson – take a breather. Right: MacAskill pulls off a scrub roll

“THE IDEA OF DOING A FRONT FLIP OFF A DROP OR OVER A SIGN ONTO HARD GROUND… THERE’S THE FEELING THAT IF I LAND ARSE-FIRST, IS MY BACK GOING TO HOLD?”

“YOU DO GO INTO DARK LITTLE HOLES. THE FRUSTRATION, ANGER, WEAKNESS… YOU JUST HAVE TO THINK THIS IS ALL WORKING TOWARDS YOUR END GOAL” Filming is tough: “You might not be able to ride for a few days afterwards,” MacAskill says. Opposite: landing a bunny hop to rear

“Every so often, you get a little sniff and you know that it’s going to go well. You can feel it. You just have to be stubborn.

Sometimes, some of the lines put you through the mill so hard that you’re not even happy that you landed it. You’re past that point; you’re just relieved. You might not be able to ride for a few days afterwards, because you’re bruised, battered and aching. But it’s working towards a bigger goal. You call out tricks and basically go at it until you land it.

Also, I’m often picking things that are on the edge of my ability!”

P

ushing his own boundaries is key for MacAskill; just as important is creating a narrative, going beyond what he calls “an action sports film where it is all rad, slow-motion 4K crops”.

“It’s trying to create something with more of a real feel,” he says. “Compared with a lot of sports, like freeride MTB, what I’m doing is low-end. I’m not going for the hardest or biggest, but something a bit different; tricks that really tie your concept and your riding together.”

Helping MacAskill realise this vision are a dedicated, close-knit crew in whom he has complete trust, and who not only translate his ideas to film, but push him to his performance limits. Watching them at work is like being with a group of good friends building ramshackle obstacles in the woods and then daring their most impulsive rider to hit it.

“You’re not carving enough, you’re just flipping now,” Masson laments.

“It’s scary, though,” replies MacAskill.

“Stop your whining,” Masson fires back with a grin.

Set builder John Bailey is more diplomatic. “You haven’t done it enough,” he says. “Just lap it and play with it.”

Clearly, if the crew weren’t such close mates, and therefore able to absorb setbacks and frustrations, this approach to filming might end in tears.

“If I was working with a fresh team, I’d be embarrassed about how I’m stomping about in the mud, throwing a strop,” says MacAskill. Being at ease allows him the confidence to repeatedly and spectacularly fail while striving for that goal.

Still, his friends’ laughter alone can’t be what drives him back onto his bike for another go when the light and his body are failing; part of that must come from the shared vision for the film they’re all creating. MacAskill is in a position where pretty much any set and trick combo he dreams up can be attempted, including riding on a hay bale rolling downhill.

THE RED BULLETIN

“SOMETIMES, SOME OF THE LINES PUT YOU THROUGH THE MILL SO HARD THAT YOU’RE NOT EVEN HAPPY THAT YOU LANDED IT. YOU’RE PAST THAT POINT; YOU’RE JUST RELIEVED” “I’m lucky to have friends who share my motivation and can document it in a way that fits with the image in my head,” he says. “I’ve gone into each clip focused on upping the level or taking it into different places, and we’ve probably done 90 per cent of the stuff we’ve tried.”

Getting to the 90 per cent mark on this film is a marathon rather than a sprint, but MacAskill is intent that the finished product yet again sets the standard.

“We’re pushing hard,” he says. “Pretty much everything I’m picking is unusual in some way or another, maybe in mountain biking or trials – or stuff that has never been done on any bike.

“It’s determination. I don’t necessarily have the skills to do it, but it’s like rolling 10 sixes in a row: it might take you 10 hours, but it’ll happen eventually. You do go into dark little holes. The frustration, anger, weakness… you just have to think this is all working towards your end goal and it’ll be totally worth it.”

Having the confidence to fail publicly while pursuing a dream, and trusting friends’ help to get you there, is something we could all benefit from, whether you’re striving to master a new sport or a recipe for chocolate soufflé. The key seems to be: keep it fun.

“It’s hard to know what drives me to do this stuff,” he says. “It almost goes back to when you’re eight years old, sat on a bike on top of the bottle bank in your village, and you know you can do it. You just keep going until you land it. It’s like a game.”

Perhaps the essence of MacAskill’s riding also explains his broad appeal – even to people who are as likely to ride a bike as do a handstand on the Moon. He has stayed in touch with that eight-year-old, messing with his mates’ heads as he psyches himself up to huck a bike off a bottle bank. It’s something absolutely simple, but increasingly rare, in a world where overachieving as an adult is usually so bloody serious. redbull.com

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HEROES OF THE NIGHT

VIENNA Words: Andreas Rottenschlager Photography: Lukas Gansterer

B A L K A N B E AT S , P U N K A N D C H A M PA G N E F R O M A S A U S A G E S TA N D : THE IMPRESARIOS PUTTING THE A U S T R I A N C A P I TA L O N T H E L AT E- N I G H T M A P

THE HOUSE DJ: ANNA ULLRICH The Viennese DJ and photographer plays deep house in clubs across Europe facebook.com/ annaullrichofficial

ANNA ULLRICH “ YO U C A N S TAY H E R E A N D PA R T Y TILL 11AM” “If you’re in Vienna for the weekend, here’s your clubbing timetable. If you like commercial house music, start at Volksgarten (next to the Hofburg, the former imperial palace) on Friday. They play house you can dance to and there’s an international crowd. I have lots of friends who go there to meet and hook up with new people.

It’s busiest between 2am and 4am.

For Saturday night I recommend SASS on Karlsplatz. It’s a club that feels like a sitting room and I regularly play there. The owners like to give young DJs a chance, so it’s the place to go if you want to hear the latest techno and tech house.

SASS also plays host to one of the few official after-hours parties in the city. The club shuts at 5am and then reopens at 6am. Then you can party on till 11 in the morning.”

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Karlsplatz 1; sassvienna.com Burgring; volksgarten.at

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W E L C O M E TO AUSTRIA’S LAID-BACK,

IMPERIAL NIGHTLIFE CENTRE Settled in the heart of Europe, Vienna has been the core of the Habsburg Empire, the birthplace of psychoanalysis and the ’80s smash hit Rock Me Amadeus. Global consultant Mercer voted the capital of 1.8 million the world’s most liveable city five times in a row. And that’s not even factoring in the growing number of late-night parties.

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Insomnia Club Ottakringerstraße 50

dasBach Bachgasse 21

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Bitzinger Augustinerstraße 1

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Volksgarten Club Burgring

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City Facts

Austria’s capital is the second-largest German-speaking city (after Berlin). Fly to Vienna International Airport. Get around by subway (runs 24 hours at the weekend) and tram. Use wienerlinien.at for navigation.

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SASS Club Karlsplatz 1

The Arena Baumgasse 80

T H E R O C K S TA R : WILD EVEL He’s been playing gigs around Vienna for 15 years now.

His shows as the frontman of garage-punk band the Trashbones are legendary trashbones.com

WILD EVEL “BE THE FRONTMAN OF A PUNK BAND FOR A NIGHT” “If you want to see good rock ’n’ roll shows, check out the Arena.

The former slaughterhouse has been the centre of Vienna’s counterculture since the 1970s and it’s still the go-to address for live music. But my secret tip is dasBach in Ottakring. It’s the perfect location for intimate little gigs. The crowd is so close to the stage that you can smell the singer’s sweat. There’s no barrier to separate the artist from the concertgoer. When I play there with my band, I mingle with the

crowd and drink beer out of my Chelsea boots. You can always tell a place like dasBach is a great live venue based on its rock ’n’ roll paraphernalia; there’s a whole layer of band stickers on the wall.

I can’t recommend some of the special features, like punk rock bowling or karaoke, highly enough.

A live band will be performing classics by the Ramones or Black Flag and you can just jump on the stage and belt it out with them.”

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Bachgasse 21, dasbach.at Baumgasse 80, arenavie.com/web/

THE PRODUCER: WOLFRAM Austria’s most successful disco export has produced tracks for Moby and performed live with Lady Gaga wolfram.fm

PETER BALON “DISCOVER V I E N N A’ S T R U E MUSIC ICON”

WOLFRAM “ E AT K Ä S E K R A I N E R A N D D R I N K C H A M PA G N E ” “All DJs automatically become late-night food experts. And in nighttime Vienna, there’s no avoiding the sausage stands. The way to know you’ve found a good one is the quality of the sides. Are the buns crispy? Is there special mustard? I recommend the Bitzinger stand behind the Opera.

It’s one of the few sausage stands 72

with a modern design. They have an amazing selection there. You can order champagne at the Bitzinger stand till 4am and then round off the night with a Carniolan sausage with cheese [Käsekrainer].

Don’t think of the calories and just enjoy it. It’s impossible to eat healthily at a hot-dog stand.”

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Augustinerstraße 1; bitzinger-wien.at

“We know everyone knows Falco.

But the unheralded star of Vienna’s music scene is actually Philipp Quehenberger. He’s an all-around musical genius who studied jazz piano and produces unique tracks on the keyboard. ‘Quehe’ creates it all, from noise music to intelligent techno. But he rejects all musicindustry norms. He fiddles around with his songs for years at a time.

When he performs live, he likes to wear a tank top. I recommend you look up “Uff Uff” on YouTube for starters. It’s a dark techno tune – the perfect soundtrack for a nighttime walk around Vienna. Just slip on your earbuds and wander up and down the Donaukanal [Danube Canal] with the moon reflected in the water.” facebook.com/philipp.quehenberger THE RED BULLETIN

FREDERIKA FERKOVÁ “DANCE TO TURBO-FOLK” “Ottakringer Straße is the centre of Vienna’s Balkan party scene.

A Balkan party is where people from the former Yugoslavia dance to turbo-folk – fast, Slavic music cranked up with electro beats.

Oddly, even the Viennese only rarely give Balkan disco a try themselves, which is a shame, because on Fridays and Saturdays things get pretty wild at clubs like Insomnia. An enormous amount

of vodka gets knocked back. The women dance in ultra-short dresses and high heels. Guys usually wear button-downs. My inside tip is to learn just this one thing in Serbian.

You can’t go wrong with the question ‘Šta piješ?’ – pronounced shta pee-esh. Translation: “What are you drinking?”

6 Ottakringerstraße 50; facebook.com/insomniaclubvienna

THE MUSIC MAKER: PETER BALON The man who runs the show at Grelle Forelle, Vienna’s leading techno club grelleforelle.com

THE INSIDER: FREDERIKA F E R K O VÁ Nightlife reporter for Vice.

She organises parties, including pyjama

See it. Get it. Do it.

AC T I O N !

TRAVEL

LOVE THE BEAST

Open your mind: go cageless shark-diving

WILDESTANIMAL/GETTY IMAGES

The warm waters of the Caribbean along Mexico’s Riviera Maya teem with amazing wildlife, but between November and March this coastline plays host to its most impressive and potentially deadly guest: the bull shark. Here, there’s a man who wants to take you down to the seabed to face these menacing creatures as they feed, and teach you that they’re not to be feared, but embraced.

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TRAVEL GOOD REEF

Reality bites: bull sharks are not to be feared, it seems

Three more epic dive spots

True colours

The Mexican island of Cozumel sits amid the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the largest in the Americas. Our tip: take along a flashlight for a kaleidoscopic night-dive. phantomdivers.com

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Playa del Maya, MEXICO Cancún To experience the swimming of the bulls, go to phantomdivers.com

THE INSIDER

“Lots of sharks – not bull sharks, but the likes of tiger sharks – are opportunistic. If they see you’re not watching them, they could bite, so always keep them in sight. Look into his eyes and don’t show him you’re scared. If you act like prey, that’s what you are.”

is experience. “When the sharks become nervous, their movements become quicker and they put down their pectoral fins. Someone who sees them every day can tell the difference; a tourist cannot.”

As such, anyone going on the excursion requires decent scuba experience. “They don’t need to be super pro-divers, but we don’t babysit. Everyone needs to be able to go down, do a safety stop and come back up by themselves. And they must be able to follow the plan and respect the rules: keep your hand to yourself, because the shark could mistake it and have a bite.”

Accidental chomps aside, Loria says the sharks are not to be feared, and the aim of his dives is to teach that lesson. “In the last 30 years, we’ve lost 80 per cent of the world’s shark population. You know why?

Because everybody thinks if there are no sharks in the water they’re going to be safer. We need to change people’s minds in order to start protecting them, and the only way we can do this is by getting them to dive with the sharks and learn firsthand what they really are.

“When people come here, you can see the nervousness in their faces. In the briefing, they listen very carefully, and they behave underwater. When we finish the dive, we ask them how it made them feel, and the answer most often repeated is that the experience was peaceful.”

Drop in the ocean

Blue Corner in Palau, Micronesia is not for the weak-hearted, with strong currents, a plummeting reef wall and up to 13 species of shark. palaudive adventures.com

Double down The east side of Tanzania’s Mafia Island offers amazing reef dives into the Indian Ocean. Head to the west and you can snorkel with whale sharks. aqua-firma.co.uk

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PHANTOMDIVERS.COM, JORGE LORIA, AQUA-FIRMA.COM/RALPH PANNELL

“Twenty years ago, Playa del Carmen was a small town with few tourists and [only] four or five dive shops. In the winter, when I used to spear fish, the sharks would come up next to me and try to steal the fish I caught.

In those early years, I didn’t notice how much the tourists were amazed by the sharks. It took me time to realise it was a better business than selling ceviche.”

And so Jorge Loria brought bull-shark diving to Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

Today, Playa del Carmen has more than 60 dive shops, and Loria is the director of Phantom Divers, a tour company that specialises in diving with this species of shark, which, alongside the great white and tiger shark, is considered one of the most dangerous known to man. “We control the dive with food,” explains Loria.

“If the sharks start getting aggressive, we seal the bucket so no blood comes out, and then they calm down. If we want more action, we start letting fish out.”

For the diver tasked with feeding the sharks, a little more protection is needed.

“I have three tooth-marks on my hand,” says Loria. “After that, I said, ‘OK, chain mail is the solution.’” The mesh protects against what he calls a ‘test’ or ‘mistake’ bite – “It’s not the same as an attack bite.

When they’re going for a turtle, it has a different force” – but the greatest defence

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Rogue One 3D eyewear If you’re going to watch the new Star Wars movie in 3D, do it in style in officially-licensed Stormtrooper or new Death Trooper (shown) glasses. Selected cinemas will be upselling you these with your popcorn. masterimage3d.com

Darth Vader Melted Helmet From the makers of The Force Awakens’ prop, this detailed replica isn’t cheap and only 500 were made. Kylo Ren clearly got one and the rest are sold out, but with a new film release comes ‘a new hope’ of more to come. collectibles.starwars.com

BOUNTY HUNTED

Star Wars merchandise is always tempting.

Occasionally, it’s useful too

R2-D2 Moving Refrigerator Forget BB-8, Artoo has always been the coolest droid in the universe. Proving the point is this epic Japanese remote-controlled fridge. It can deliver six-packs of beer and the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance. aqua-has.com/sw

Millennium Falcon Multitool

Darth Vader Toaster

Walking AT-ACT

Han Solo’s ship is the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Probably in no small part due to all the work he’s done on it with this stainless-steel gadget that includes a screwdriver, bottle opener and five box-end wrenches. thefowndry.com

Anyone who’s seen Revenge of the Sith knows Anakin Skywalker’s face is pretty toasted beneath that fearsome mask. Recreate his tragic turn to the Dark Side every breakfast time with slices of Star Wars-branded bread. thefowndry.com

For Star Wars geeks who are old enough, the original Imperial AT-AT Walker toy was always highly sought after. This enhanced version from the new film can be controlled with your smartphone and fires Nerf bullets. hasbro.com

THE RED BULLETIN

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The human mind behind the computer brain replicating creative genius

Do you consider what Prisma creates to be art?

No, real art depends on your imagination. Prisma uses deep learning, a neural network, to find all the details on your photo – lines, shapes, circles – then it grades them and completely redraws the image from scratch. It allows you to choose a style, though not create your own. However, we plan to solve this challenge and allow people to create their own styles in the future. Then it will be closer to real art.

Are you surprised at the enormous popularity of the app?

It’s crazy. Only games normally have this speed of growth, and we didn’t spend a penny on marketing – it’s almost completely organic.

It’s a unique experience watching how Prisma is growing around the world. In summer, we processed around three billion images in four months. Now it’s around 50 million a day. It all depends on the day, of course. On Saturday, we have more; on a Monday, not so much.

How do you make money? There are no ads or in-app purchases…

I’m confident we don’t need direct monetisation, so the app is free. We want to monetise from brands, who can create their own style. We already have some [effects] by Gett, the rival of Uber. It’s not a typical ad, which is created by the brand for you; users create the ad for the brand. There’s no logo, no sign, but it’s an ad.

People like ads more, and share them, when they’re native to the interface – Instagram, for example. It’s a very powerful way.

What’s the best application of Prisma you’ve seen?

Some people from Bangladesh have created learning books for children in a school. It’s a very interesting case, helping people to learn in different countries, doing some good for the world. I think that’s the way [forward].

What’s next?

Creating animation in real-time. Prisma video is already happening on the smartphone, and you don’t need the internet to do it. Our idea is to move all the deep-learning power onto the phone itself, not from a server in the cloud where these supercomputers are calculating the stuff. The user experience will be unified for all people around the world. You’ll be wearing the real AI in your pocket. That’s the challenge.

It’s going to be very hard work.

The filter selection is always changing.

“We want people to explore new styles every day, to keep them interested in creating different images. So we replace some and then see how it goes.”

THE IDEAS MAN Alexey Moiseenkov, 26 Best app of 2016?

Sorry, Pokémon Go, that accolade goes to Prisma – the photo-manipulating sensation that seemingly transforms your snaps into images in the style of Picasso, Mondrian or Van Gogh. In truth, it’s the handiwork of this Russian computer graduate or, more accurately, an artificial intelligence he and his team borrowed from someone else – an open-source project named DeepArt. “I thought, ‘How can we connect this idea with people?’ The key was speed.” So Moiseenkov made the rendering process 1,000 times faster and the Instagram generation took notice. prisma-ai.com

Prisma’s intelligence evolves. “We improve the neural network based on images people are using, but not in real-time. Once a week, maybe. Make a picture in August and one in September will not be the same.”

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PRISMA-AI.COM

INNOV NOVA NOV VAT ATIONS: THE GREAT IMPRESSIONIST

p ro m ot i o n

Must-haves!

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1 Lexar ProfessionaL microsD carDs Whether you’re an action camera user, a drone pilot or a mobile device power user the Lexar Professional 1000x microSD UHS-II cards provide the perfect solution for your device.

These high-speed cards leverage UHS-II (U3) technology and provide a transfer speed up to 150MB/s (1000x). Optimised for 4K and full-HD video recording, the Professional 1000x microSD will make sure you never miss the action. Supplied with a USB 3.0 microSD reader maximizing your download, enhancing your high-speed experience, from start to finish. Available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. From R799.

www.lexar.com 2 new era remix coLLecTion New Era has teamed up with two of South Africa’s greatest football franchises. New Era’s world renowned involvement in Major League Baseball has seen a substantial increase in product offerings and brand partnerships over the years, from the NFL to the most recent partnership with Manchester United. New Era has now turned its attention to South Africa and more specifically the Soweto juggernauts, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Chiefs Range will consist of the Flagship 59Fifty fitted style as well as including the 9Fifty, 39Thirty & 9Forty styles. And these styles will be made available at www. neweracap.co.za between R399.95-R649.95.

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www.neweracap.co.za

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3 nixon Handsome, easy-to-read 51 mm design that launched the oversized trend, with 3 CD textured subdials. 6-hand chrono, date window, 24-hour and seconds subdials, custom-molded hands with luminous fill. Concave dial ring with rotating bezel with countdown timer, bold numbers and printed seconds track. 3-link stainless steel or Acetate band with stainless steel double locking clasp with micro adjust. Crown positioned at 9 o’clock and pushers at 8 and 10 to prevent “wrist bite” while surfing. Price R7899 each.

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www.nixon.com

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4 UnDer armoUr cooLswiTch T Tch Aiming to empower athletes and improve physical performance during training, Under Armour COOLSWITCH technology, blends unique active cooling agents that have never before been combined in an apparel application. Each of these ingredients delivers a specific outcome over the course of a workout to help athletes stay cool. The CoolSwitch Technology does exactly what its name indicates – it cools your body down when you start to heat up and sweat. This innovation allows athletes to remain cooler and empowers them to perform longer, when everyone else is exhausted, those wearing COOLSWITCH will „flip the switch“ and can move forward with greater force! Price R899.

www.ua.com 5 kingsLey heaTh Our exclusive KH leather range is uniquely handcrafted & tanned under the African sun.

Using premium hides, double stitching & only the best trims to ensure strength & durability, it will grow in character with each new adventure. By purchasing a KH leather bag you are making an investment into your fashion wardrobe, these items will stand the test of time and be something that you can hand down to your children.

Retailing at R2999.95

www.kingsleyheath.co.za

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WATCHES

Edited by Gisbert L Brunner

KEEPING IT REAL

Frédérique Constant Horological Smartwatch Notify

The MotionX-365 app on iOS and Android syncs fitness and sleep data from your horological smartwatch

For almost 150 years, the wristwatch had a sacred duty: to tell the time. Then the modern smartwatch arrived, shattering the status quo and reducing timekeeping to a mere feature on a wrist-mounted computer. There were whispers this could mark the end of the analogue timepiece, but the cradle of watchmaking, Switzerland, saw things differently and devised the ‘horological smartwatch’. Physical hands move around the face of the Frédérique Constant Notify, but inside its 42mm stainless-steel case is a smart module that monitors activity and sleep, and syncs with your smartphone. Press the crown and the minute hand winds around to the corresponding symbol – a running man at eight o’clock or a moon at four – while the hour hand tells you what percentage of your daily goal you’ve achieved.

Receive a call or message and the watch vibrates as the minute hand moves to the relevant symbols at 10 or two o’clock. Travel to a different country and it automatically sets to the correct time zone. The biggest advantage of an analogue dial, however, is that it doesn’t drain power like an LED screen – the battery lasts four years. Now that’s really smart. frederiqueconstant.com

TOP OF THE CLASS

Stay sharp, wherever you are, with these clever clocks

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Emporio Armani Connected

Nixon Mission

Michael Kors Access Dylan

Stainless steel and black leather combine to make this watch smart in function and looks. When used with the iOS or Android app, it monitors sleep and steps, sends alerts, and its buttons will control your smartphone music. armani.com

The smartest choice for extreme sports.

Its polycarbonate and stainless-steel case is waterproof to 10 bars, the bezel acts as a roll cage, and built-in apps include realtime snow-shred alerts and live ocean and mountain condition forecasts. nixon.com

With its gold-toned, stainless-steel, 46mm case; interchangeable straps in black silicone, leather and metal; and auto dayto-night face swaps, this Android Wear watch is every bit as bling as its celebrated New York designer. michaelkors.com

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The all-new Toyota Fortuner An all-terrain shredding beast in a designer suit!

Boasting the 4 wheel-drive, chow-off-road-for-fun soul of a Hilux under the elegant veneer of a 7-seater, luxury people carrier.

The perfect ride for the rough and rugged outdoors, the Toyota Fortuner is just as happy in the city. The ride is smooth and the steering responsive, the interior luxurious and refined, while the features are a lovely geek-topia. To start you have a 7” touch screen with voice recognition and steering wheel controls. A 4.2” screen presents occupants with all the information they might desire about their trip. Add to that keyless entry and LED headlamps and you can understand why city-slicking off-roaders are so excited about it.

The Fortuner boasts a 7-seater people-carrying capacity, making five-a-side football tournies a doddle.

Drivers are presented with three driving modes – eco, normal and power. Eco being the most fuel-efficient and, some would say, sensible, while power truly awakens the beast under the hood.

The Fortuner is powered by the advanced 130kW, 2.8l diesel engine and boasts 450Nm of torque. All models are available with a 6-speed paddle shift automatic while the top end of the range can also be selected as a 6-speed ‘intelligent’ manual.

The SUV has a braked towing capacity of 2.8-tonne for the automatic models and 3-tonne for the manual, while it has a fuel-consumption rate of 7.8l/100km for the manual and 8.6l/100km for the automatics.

Hard-working, refined and epic fun, what more could you ask for?

Visit www.toyota.co.za for more information

ADVErTiSiNg PromoTioN

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WHEELS The new Nissan GT-R: the ‘supercar’ that’s mild at heart

MOTOR MERCH Clothing made for the driving seat and beyond

Dressed to win The Ayrton Senna clothing label has teamed up with Classic Team Lotus to deliver a new collection honouring the Brazilian F1 legend’s successes as a driver for the team. ayrtonsennashop.com

POWER RESERVE

Nissan’s new GT-R can out-drag a Veyron, but is speed alone enough to make a supercar?

A few numbers are key when talking about the new Nissan GT-R. Not the HP (562) nor the torque (637Nm), rather the number of video views it’s getting online, beating LaFerraris, Veyrons, every supercar you could name. That’s because of a few more crucial numbers: 0-100kph in 2.6s, almost half a second faster than the McLaren 675LT Spider. I had to experience the slaying power of this supercar killer first-hand.

Considering its rep, the GT-R is amazingly pleasant to drive: quiet, comfortable, a refined cruiser. In full auto with standard settings, it’s happy to burble around town.

The experience belies the price tag – it costs more than the Porsche Cayman GT4, but lacks the instant driver engagement.

For that, you have to switch to one of the ‘R’ modes; when the twin turbos spool up, you’re hammered back into the seat like you’re about to fly to a different planet.

The GT-R is a rocket, for sure, but it’s not as exciting as some of the cars it can beat on the drag strip. It might outrun the 675LT, but the McLaren gives that supercar experience; this, on the other hand, is an four-door cruiser with a boot. So, it seems that you don’t have to be a monster to take one on. nissan.com

Tim Burton, aka Shmee150, is one of social media’s mostfollowed supercar connoisseurs. Now he brings that expertise to The Red Bulletin.

Watch Shmee’s full video review of this month’s cars at redbulletin.com

Wheel deal The collaboration of motorcyclist outfitters Belstaff and historic UK race circuit Goodwood is a match made in petrol-head heaven.

Check out the range of motorsportinspired jackets. goodwood.com

TOUR DE FORCE

Shmee heads to Aston Martin’s HQ to try out the DB11 The range of Aston Martins has grown in recent years, but the image of the marque is still tied to its grand tourers, so the DB11 is a crucial car for the firm. Unsurprisingly, the design is beautiful, but it’s what you can’t see that matters. The new 5.2-litre twinturbo V12 gives 600hp and 700Nm of torque; it hits 100kph in 3.9s, with a top speed of 320kph. There’s little delay in the turbos. It’s

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set up to be as close to naturally aspirated as possible. It sounds and feels brilliant. In the cabin, the new teamup with Mercedes is evident. Hyper-critical types could argue it’s behind the cutting edge, but full digital displays and the very usable sat-nav are a big upgrade on the previous generation.

Ergonomically, it’s top notch. A wonderful car for touring. db11.astonmartin.com

Top flight Whether open-top cruising in winter or pretending you’re a WWII fighter pilot, the authentic Irvin flying jacket, made from tough sheepskin leather, does the job.

There’s also a lighter wool-lined option. motoringclassics.co.uk

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BLACKLISTED

Donnie Darko: “See? I told you not to worry. Not a creepy clown in sight…”

New movie Passengers sat on Hollywood’s annual list of ‘best unmade screenplays’ for years, as did these…

Argo (2012)

FILM

PROFIT OF DOOM

20TH CENTURY FOX, OPEN ROAD FILMS, WARNER BROS.

Fifteen years on, Donnie Darko remains a cult classic – hypnotically cool and underground. Director Richard Kelly looks back at the mad world he created How hard was it to get the film made?

The consensus was that it was impossible to produce. It became a mission to prove the narrative could be realised on screen, and that I could direct it. It was a daunting experience, but I felt I had been given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Someone had put up $4.5 million to realise this incredibly ambitious story, and everyone soon realised even that wasn’t enough. The timeline leading to the apocalypse in the film – the tangent universe – was 28 days, which was our exact shooting schedule. So we were almost living this apocalyptic narrative while making the film.

What convinced you Jake Gyllenhaal was right for the role?

I met him in Drew Barrymore’s office on Sunset Boulevard and had an instant gut reaction to his presence. He was at the right point, too – you want actors who feel they need the role as much as it needs them. Great actors like Jake act from a very instinctual level and know when the gravity is centred on a role.

Why do you think the film remains so popular?

I think on an emotional level it’s the idea of feeling alienation, or not belonging to a level of expectation that society demands.

A lot of that is fundamental to being a teenager, coming of age and realising the world is very disappointing. That feeling is much more mainstream than most popular culture presents.

How has its enduring appeal inspired you in your career?

I feel very honoured that people continue to discuss the film. It makes me want to continue to tell my own original stories and not surrender to the demands of the marketplace; complex stories that challenge audiences and stand the test of time.

A 4K restoration of Donnie Darko will be released on Blu-ray this month, accompanied by showings in selected cinemas

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Part of the illustrious 2010 list that included American Hustle and The Hunger Games. Producer George Clooney battled for four years to green-light this hostage drama, and it paid off: he and the film’s director/ star Ben Affleck walked away with the 2012 Oscar for Best Picture.

FAN FAVOURITES

Three more movies that beat a shaky start and found a devoted following

Blade Runner (1982) Hard to believe, but Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece met a muted reception on release, not really being celebrated until 1992 when healthy VHS sales and big TV viewing figures led to a director’s cut. This cemented its legend, inspiring a ‘Final Cut’ and a forthcoming sequel.

Brazil (1985) Initially delayed by an editing battle between director and studio, Terry Gilliam’s dystopian fantasy proved too left-field for mainstream audiences. Sci-fi aficionados, however, consider the film a classic.

Fight Club (1999) Brad Pitt’s punchy antics were stifled by moral panic in the US, which led to the twist ending being revealed on a talk show, ruining its opening weekend.

Nevertheless, the film is now remembered as a counterculture landmark.

The Revenant (2015) If you thought DiCaprio’s character went through a lot in this survival thriller, spare a thought for those who tried to get it made. Adapted from the story by Michael Punke in 2001, the script made the 2007 list, but took eight years to hit the screen. It did end Leo’s long wait for recognition, though: he won the Best Actor Oscar.

Spotlight (2015) The most recent Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards featured on the 2013 Blacklist. The screenplay’s subject matter – journalists expose abuse within the Catholic Church – put some studios in a sweat, but an all-star cast helped make the film a modern classic, earning it 71 awards and almost double that in nominations.

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CULTURE

PLAYLIST MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN

TREND WATCH For its short doc web series HASHTAG$ 2, Red Bull Music Academy is exploring burgeoning online music subcultures. Here are three you need to know about…

Renaissance man Maynard James Keenan has not only fronted two extremely successful and innovative rock bands – Tool and A Perfect Circle – but also proved himself as an actor, comedian, multimedia artist and even winemaker. Despite his cult following, the 52-year-old has remained an enigmatic figure, but his new biography, A Perfect Union Of Contrary Things, provides a window into his world. Here, Keenan picks five songs that have had an impact on the musician and the vintner.

Check out his wine selection at caduceus.org

#KAWAII

Dean Martin

Zapp

Ain’t That A Kick In The Head [from You Can’t Love ’Em All]

More Bounce To The Ounce

“Whenever this classic comes up on my playlist, I drop everything so I can just listen to it. When you look at the early days, and entertainers like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, they were so multi-talented: they could dance, they could sing, they could play instruments and write. Artists were athletic, and I admire that a lot. Today, people are just handed things for free; it’s a very entitled generation.”

“This song holds a special memory for me. When I was in the military – especially in basic training – pretty much all of my friends were black. Whenever we got the chance to take time off, we would go out and listen to funk tunes on huge boomboxes we’d carry on our shoulders. This song has always been one of my favourites. When it comes on, everyone’s hips immediately start moving.”

Sounds like: Fast techno beats with sickly sweet melodies and high-pitched vocals. Origin: Kawaii hails from Japan (it means ‘cute’) but has gone global; Lady Gaga is among its admirers.

Listen to: Death Blossom

by ALiCE’S EMOTiON

#GQOM

Fleetwood Mac

Iris DeMent

The Chain [from Rumours]

Let The Mystery [from Infamous Angel]

“A lot of people have tried to cover this song and failed miserably.

What they don’t get is that you can’t remove any one element from it and still make the song make sense. There’s some kind of magic in the perfect balance of the vocals and every other element. It inspired me to create Le Cortigiane Oneste, a very unusual yet elegantly balanced blend for which I fermented Barbera and Merlot together.”

“I discovered this one a few years ago. I don’t know much about Iris DeMent’s life and career – she sings a lot of religious tunes – but this is a shining example of good songwriting. It’s mysterious and uplifting; it’s like, ‘Don’t worry about things, don’t judge too much.’ When I listen to this song, I love to pour myself a glass of Chupacabra, which is kind of my mystery blend, a shape-shifter wine from my vineyard.”

Kashmir [from Physical Graffiti] “There’s a consistency throughout all of Led Zeppelin’s albums, but for me there’s one shining moment in their discography and that is Kashmir. It’s a magical song that couldn’t have happened to just any band – this masterpiece was the result of many years of unconscious preparation. And that fact led me to an important realisation: you shouldn’t wait for a lucky strike; life is all about preparation.”

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THE GADGET The Basslet

Ever fallen in love with a tune in a club, but felt it sounded a bit flat when you listened to it at home?

You need this wearable subwoofer. When hooked up to your phone, the smartwatch-sized Basslet transforms low frequencies into vibrations so you can really feel the music. lofelt.com

#HEALTHGOTH

Sounds like: Harsh industrial sounds and chilly soundscapes. Origin: Born in 2013 as a Facebook group started by pop duo Magic Fades, and now a fashion trend; fans mix Goth style with futuristic sportswear.

Listen to: Thorium by MESH Watch all the episodes at redbullmusicacademy. com/hashtags

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TRAVIS SHINN

Led Zeppelin

Sounds like: Dark, hypnotic house with syncopated beats and sliced-up vocals. Origin: Gqom has thrived in Durban townships for the last five years; now, thanks to UK DJs such as Kode9, its minimal sound has fans worldwide.

Listen to: Mitsubishi Song

by Rudeboyz

ACTION

CULTURE

MY LIFE IN GAMES BILL GREEN

BONUS ITEMS

Gaming gear that’s highly playable and probably collectable

Batman: Arkham VR puts you in the skintight batsuit of Bruce Wayne. We climbed inside the mind of its lead designer to find out what drives him THE GAME I’D TAKE TO A DESERT ISLAND: CIVILIZATION V

Turn-based strategy, 2010, PC, Mac “This is a tough call, but it would probably be Sid Meier’s Civilization V – and hopefully I’ll be saying Civilization VI very soon. I could spend more hours than I have in my life in this series’ game systems.

I could mod it to keep myself entertained, too.”

MY LATEST GAME: BATMAN: ARKHAM VR

Virtual-reality adventure, 2016, PS4 “We got our PlayStation VR evaluation kit from Sony as we were completing Batman: Arkham Knight last year. It didn’t take long for the team to agree that VR plus Batman: Arkham would be an awesome way to wrap up our time with the Dark Knight. I was asked to head up the design of the new project, which has to be the highlight of my career so far. The chance to tell a new story, with a completely new perspective, in a franchise I’ve grown with was very exciting.”

THE FIRST GAME I WORKED ON: SUDEKI

GREEN’S TOP TIP “Think like Batman.

He’s not all fist-fights and leaps off buildings; he’s more intellectual.

Every nook in Batman: Arkham VR has been layered with secrets.

Scratch the surface and explore it in every direction – you’ll find a depth that’s not immediately apparent.”

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Action role-player, 2004, Xbox, PC “I’ve been building content for games since the original Doom. When the developers of Cossacks: European Wars – a real-time strategy game – saw some levels I’d posted on fan sites, they offered me the chance to build an ‘official’ campaign. That helped me land my first full-time design job, on the wonderful Sudeki.”

Pip-Boy Deluxe Designed to be linked to your phone via Bluetooth, this could be the biggest, ugliest smartwatch ever – or a beautiful and collectable replica of Fallout 4’s famous wrist computer. store.bethsoft.com

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE: LUMO

Adventure puzzler, 2016, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac “I’m enjoying this retro indie adventure right now. But, judging by the beta, Battlefield 1 will be keeping me busy this winter. I’m also awaiting my pre-order of Civilization VI, which is set to become my overall favourite.”

THE GAME THAT MOST INSPIRED ME: UNREAL TOURNAMENT

First-person shooter, 1999, PC, Mac “As early as the age of six, I loved creating paper designs for 8-bit, side-scrolling platform and puzzle games. Having access to powerful editors for games like Unreal Tournament in my teens set me on the road to making games for a living.”

Gears of War 4 gamepad Hard to believe, but this battleweathered, limitededition controller, with its laser-etched claw marks and weapon-motif D-pad, works with games other than GoW4. xbox.com

Nintendo Classic Mini Nostalgia is better when it’s improved upon. HDMI lets you play 30 built-in games in high-res, and game saves mean no inputting fiddly codes. nintendo.com

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ACTION

“It’s been incredible, because you can compare yourself to Sébastien Loeb and Jari-Matti Latvala, the two fastest drivers on the planet in rallying” Andreas Mikkelsen, speaking during WRC 2016

Follow the stars of the WRC as they take on some of the toughest conditions in the world

WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY

THE VERY BEST IN ACTION SPORTS

Wherever you like to get your adrenalin rush – on four wheels on two, racing down the steepest pistes or through the best powder – Red Bull TV has it covered…

WRC – LIVE SERIES LIVE JANUARY 22 Follow a fresh season of WRC, as drivers and co-drivers in production-based cars compete in 13 gruelling rallies across four continents. Conditions range from ice-bound tracks in Sweden, rock-strewn mountain passes in Argentina to bumpy asphalt vineyard roads in Germany. First stop: Monte Carlo.

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CULTURE RED BULL TV HIGHLIGHTS

WORLDIES NEW SERIES PREMIERES JANUARY 9

This original short-form series is back, covering Incredible moments in action sports, with each episode hosting a top-five countdown from a specific discipline.

ALL.I.CAN MOVIE JANUARY 9

WATCH RED BULL TV ANYWHERE Red Bull TV is a global digital entertainment destination featuring programming that is beyond the ordinary and is available any time, anywhere.

Go online at redbull.tv, download the app, or connect via your Smart TV.

To find out more, visit redbull.tv

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JAANUS REE/RED BULL CONTENT POOL (2), DANIEL TENGS/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, SCOTT SERFAS/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHERPAS INC. 2010, SAMO VIDIC/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

This stunning essay compares the challenges of big-mountain skiing to those of global climate change. Shot on six continents over two years, it features Sean Petit, Ingrid Backstrom and Mark Abma.

STREIF MOVIE JANUARY 15

The Hahnenkamm downhill ski race in Kitzbühel, Austria, has seen unforgettable triumphs and heart-rending tragedies. This movie documents what it takes to perform at this legendary annual event.

ULTIMATE RUSH SEASON 5 NEW SERIES PREMIERES JANUARY 17

Why do athletes risk their lives doing what they love to do? Back for a new season, this adventure series follows outstanding athletes as they take on their mind-blowing projects.

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ACTION

EVENTS SAVE THE DATE Some cricket and racing highlights coming your way this month

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January Horse play

January 21-February 5 High as a kite Big Bay, Cape Town The world’s best kiteboarders will do battle with the Cape’s famous south-easter at Red Bull King Of The Air. South Africa’s biggest and most extreme kiteboarding event takes place at Eden on the Bay on the windiest day between January 21 and February 5, and has an 18-man, single-elimination “flag-out” format. Riders wear coloured vests that match flags on the beach, and when a competitor is eliminated by judges, his flag is lowered. redbullkingoftheair.com

January 1-20 Samba sailing

January 29 Smooth summer grooves

Run between two of the most beautiful and iconic port cities on the planet, the Cape2Rio is the longest transatlantic ocean race at more than 6,000km. Entrants include crews from South Africa, Angola, Argentina, India, the UK and Brazil. cape2rio2017.com

Majestic songstress Lira will be coming to the magical Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden as part of its Summer Sunset Concert series. The award-winning singer, one of South Africa’s top-selling artists, released her sixth studio album, Born Free, last March to critical acclaim. She’ll provide the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon’s lounging on the garden’s lush lawns, with the sun setting behind Table Mountain. webtickets.co.za

Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro

Kirstenbosch

January 26-29 Get your Creek on Swellendam Up The Creek, the annual music, culture and lifestyle gathering held just outside scenic Swellendam, is one of the true treasures on the SA festival circuit. It’s small enough for revellers not to feel like they’re getting too lost in a crowd, but still boasts a stellar line-up of rock ’n’ roll and comedy. Spend your days lazing on a lilo on the Breede River and your nights rocking up a storm. upthecreek.co.za

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Free spirit: singer Lira

28 January Ready to roar

The in-form Proteas play the first of five ODI games against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

See how the young, hungry South Africans measure up against the Lions. cricket.co.za

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January Show your metal Fancy yourself as a bit of a tough guy or girl? Dust off the old wetsuit and get down to the Ironman 70.3 event in East London, which comprises a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run. ironman.com

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CRAIG KOLESKY/RED BULL CONTENT POOL, JOHN MAARSCHALK, JULIETTE BISSET

Fly the flag: riders will be catching huge air in Big Bay

The annual gathering of the Cape’s bestdressed and most well-connected returns to Kenilworth Racecourse.

Prestigious horse race ‘The Met’ has a new sponsor and will be run for the 40th time. suninternational.com

ACTION

HOW TO

JUMP OUT OF A PLANE

Without a parachute...

Skydiver Luke Aikins did exactly that. He lived to share this tale “Spread your body out wide to help slow down, aim for a steep hillside, preferably one covered in snow, and say goodbye.” That’s Aikins’ tip on plunging unexpectedly from a plane without a parachute. Not promising coming from the ex-Navy SEAL and Iron Man 3 stuntman who trained Felix Baumgartner for his 2012 plummet from the edge of space.

However, jump with the precautions Aikins took in July when he dived 7,620m without a parachute or wingsuit and you can walk away.

“The landing didn’t hurt,” he recalls.

“My right shoulder looked like a tennis racket had smacked me, but it was gone in the morning.”

it your way 1 Do

“The project crew said, ‘We want somebody to jump without a parachute, no wingsuit, no anything’, with this crazy idea of landing on a giant slide. I didn’t want to do it – I have a wife and son – but I said, ‘OK, but only if I get to control the whole set-up, because I understand the engineering stuff.

I’m not a crazy daredevil who doesn’t care if he dies.’ They said yes.”

MARK THOMAS

2

Don’t be a guinea pig

“I brought the concept of landing in a net held up by cranes, plus air pistons to decelerate impact.

I worked with two stunt riggers I knew from Iron Man 3. Their idea was to use a helium bag to lift the net, but we dropped a 99kg dummy from 300m and the impact was hard. Eventually I talked them into trying it without the bag. I went, ‘Wow! Not only will this work, it’ll be a very light impact if done right.’”

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frosty 3 Stay

“From 7,620m to the ground there are a lot of wind direction and velocity changes – you’re going to get pushed out of position. Slowly work your way back into alignment.

If you watch my jump, you’ll notice that when my team broke off from me, I took off and dove forward pretty hard. That’s because I’d drifted out. Don’t panic, and keep anticipating the wind.”

quick 4 Think

“Once, I was flying a highperformance parachute when a guy in a wingsuit smashed on top of me.

We were tangled in my parachute, tumbling. I realised if I released he’d be wrapped up with no tension on the lines to get out and the bigger picture set in: if I leave, he’s gonna die. So I waited half a beat, he got clear, then I opened my reserve.

freak out 5 Don’t

“It’s two minutes falling, so halfway down you start to focus. At 1,500m, I’m all in. All you’re thinking about is flipping to your back. The net bends you on impact – land on your belly and it would be hard on your back and limbs. When things aren’t right, you mustn’t overreact. I wasn’t exactly lined up with the middle of the net, but in that two-second window I had a choice: try to move dead centre and risk sliding, or hit with zero horizontal speed and have a clean rotation. Calm, analytical, split-second decisions.”

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MAKES YOU FLY

Usually wakeboarders are pulled over mini ramps by dead straight cable systems. Pro boarders Dominik Gührs, Felix Georgii and Dominik Hernler came up with the idea of creating the world’s first 360-degree wakeboard park. They set up their system in Pula harbour using a crane with a fully swivelling arm as their cable system. The toughest obstacle on the new course is the ‘flying container’ (above).

Check out the video: redbull.com/wakecrane

Wakeboard pro Felix Georgii, 23, was first to test the ‘flying container’ obstacle

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DANIEL DEAK BARDOS

PULA, CROATIA

“The first time is scary. But after a while you just love it!”

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