Dirk Zangen - Celtman Champion

For a time, each year, in June, I looked forward to spending time with friends in the far north of Scotland, in Shieldaig and Torridon, at the Celtman Extreme Scottish Triathlon. A few days before one year’s race, I had the pleasure of photographing elite German triathlete, Dirk Zangen, of Brussels Triathlon Club, who went on to win the race in a time of 11:51:14. It was Dirk Zangen's second time competing in the Celtman. We had met before, in appalling weather, as Dirk descended out of the mist into Coire Mhic Fhearchair on 3,000ft+ high Beinn Eighe. I was walking out with camera gear, trying (and eventually failing) to keep up with Dirk, who had an injured foot. Once healed, Dirk's resolve was to return and compete in the Celtman once again. Trained by Scottish professional triathlete, Graeme Stewart, Dirk returned to Scotland and stormed to a first place finish.