Australian photographer crowned winner of sports imagery contest with this electrifying shot of a climber in Long Canyon

Krystle Wright made history as the first ever female grand prize winner of the Red Bull Illume – the world’s largest adventure and action sports imagery contest.

Australian photographer Krystle Wright made history as she was named winner of the Red Bull Illume contest – the world’s largest adventure and action sports imagery contest – becoming the first female photographer its 17-year history to take home the grand prize. Her picture shows climber Angela VanWiemeersch illuminated in a crack, deep within Long Canyon, Utah, in the United States. “This is incredible. I wanted to earn my place in this industry and my work to get recognized. Red Bull Illume is the only platform that truly recognizes what we do,” Wright said. She explained “that the idea hit [her] like a lightning bolt” and only came about once she had “embraced boredom” in her life. “What a spectacular feeling it was to witness the crack come alive as the darkness enveloped around us,” Wright added. There were several other spectacular shots that were recognized in various different categories at the contest. The below image - taken by Ted Grambeau - of surfer and “local legend” Jimmy McKean, took home first place in the Energy Category.