Michael Rauschendorfer (08.04.1968 - 18.07.2019) died age 51 as a result of the formation of metastases in a diagnosed and treated skin cancer. The triathlon community loses a keen observer and artist.
He was diagnosed with skin cancer 7 years ago and the treatment looked positive at the time. He posted on Facebook 4 months ago the cancer had returned and metastases were detected in several organs. He was still full of hope and seemed optimistic about a recovery. He was always a positive man. He was online and still chatted on social media. Unfortunately, Michael didn't make it. My sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans.
"After 15 times shooting Ironman Frankfurt I will miss it this year," he posted on Facebook on June 28 2019. "Seven years ago I had a skin cancer diagnosis. All went well at first, early stage, small surgery, no metastases to find, also not in the several examinations afterwards. Unfortunately four months ago, metastases in several organs were detected [...] Following a targeted therapy that helped just some months, yesterday I started an immune therapy. As science made good progress in the last years I'm optimistic, but it will take some time. Wishing all athletes, photographers, journalists, media team, moto bike drivers and the volunteers a sucessful day!"
I met Michael shortly after the Millennium in the run-up to his first trip to IRONMAN Hawaii when he was fighting for press accreditation as a photographer. At that time he asked if 3athlon as a Europe's website with the most traffic and the most page views at that time was interested in further enhancing our Hawaii features around the Kona lifestyle, the sport itself, culture and nature. Additionally he requested, if I could help him to organize one of the rare places on a motorcycle for photographers and introduce him to the organizing team of the World Championships in Ironman. At first I was skeptical, but the handshake agreement worked out how many things should work in triathlon.
I won't forget the ease with which the tall Landshut often dragged over 25kg of equipment through a very, very long race day in the lava fields and he operated some of the large and heavy cameras with ease and one hand.
Later 3athlon changed the photographer and Michael supplied countless other publications with his innovative way and created many first class pictures, many in black and white and with physical filters, for eternity.
I won't forget the ease with which the tall Landshut often dragged over 25kg of equipment through a very, very long race day in the lava fields and he operated some of the large and heavy cameras with ease and one hand.
Later 3athlon changed the photographer and Michael supplied countless other publications with his innovative way and created many first class pictures, many in black and white and with physical filters, for eternity.
An excerpt of his works can be found at http://tri-photography.com/.
