Would you hang out of a helicopter in 70 knot winds to get a shot this good? onEdition’s Dan Towers did, and has been rewarded for his efforts with first prize in an international photographic competition, netting the prestigious German Sven-Simon-Preis award, the first non-German ever to do so. Led by the German tennis star Boris Becker, the panel of judges described the shot as ‘amazing’ -‘it looked more like a painting than a photograph.’

The image was shot in the Bay of Biscay shortly after the start of the VELUX 5 Oceans, which the onEdition team are the official photographers for. Within hours of the start the fleet were hit by a huge storm, gusting at over 70 knots (77mph). Photographer Dan Towers set off in a helicopter for what could only be described as a roller coaster ride to try and catch up the the besieged fleet. The resulting winning image is of Swiss solo sailor Bernard Stamm and his yacht,Cheminees Poujoulat, fighting for survival in huge seas and wind.

Clare MacNaughton, Communications Director for the VELUX 5 Oceans paid tribute to Dan’s talents, saying: ‘Sometimes planning plus circumstance equals unprecedented results, but even with the all the right ingredients it takes an exceptional chef to produce a Michelin star meal. Dan Towers’ VELUX 5 Oceans storm image is a Carpe Diem moment, brilliantly shot and capturing exquisitely the essence of our race and the endeavour of the solo skipper.’

Dan receives both the accolade and a cash prize of ?12,500. He commented; ‘It is a great honour and very much a team award. The guys that work with me are a close and very dedicated team -without them this award would not have happened and they will all be getting a share of the prize money.’

Picture: copyright OnEdition photography