Ueli Steck. Photo: Ueli Steck

A vertiginous record of amazing speed climber Ueli Steck is the winning entry in this year’s Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.

Judges put The Swiss Machine at the top of the pile.

The amazing aerial footage of the 34-year-old’s speed ascents of the Eiger’s North Face and Yosemite’s El Capitan in the Sender Films production impressed climber Lucy Creamer, Nik Cook and Si Homfray.

Eastern Rises by Felt Soul Media and Salt by Jerrycan Films were commended.

Judge Lucy Creamer said:  “With the incredibly high standards of this year’s entrants we had a task on our hands choosing the winners; many categories were closely fought.

“But the best film didn’t need too much discussion as The Swiss Machine really did stand out for many reasons. Quality photography combined with a great score and of course the understated star, Ueli Steck.

“This film has you gripping your seat, even if you know the outcome. To capture these ascents on film is truly amazing. Watch and cry!”

Shaff also announced two new award categories: the Steve Peat Best Bike Film award, named in honour of Sheffield’s downhill mountain bike champion, and the Hammer Design Best Artistic Film. Race Across The Sky by Citizen Pictures and Salt were the respective winners.

Festival organiser Matt Heason said: “The judges and I have been blown away this year by the quality and quantity of great bike films and also by the buzz in the biking community in Sheffield about the festival.

“We’ve had an expert night with former Olympic cyclist Nick Craig; we’re putting on two special bike film screenings and the exclusive showing of Alex Rankin’s iconic mountain bike series ‘Sprung & Earthed’ followed by a Steve Peat Q&A has sold out twice over.

“This new award is in recognition of the ever increasing popularity of the sport of mountain-biking.”

Full details of the awards are on the Shaff website. The festival opens today.