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Semenuk captures Red Bull Rampage

Sports briefs: Achenbach launches Kickstarter; Whistler Food Bank 5K returning
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ON A RAMPAGE Brandon Semenuk completes a trick during the Red Bull Rampage event in Virgin, Utah on Oct. 14. Semenuk won the event for the second time after previously winning in 2008. Photo courtesy of the Red Bull Content Pool

Brandon Semenuk became the third two-time champion of Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah last week.

The local legend cruised past double-backflipping Antoine Bizet and Carson Storch to secure his second win — and first since his 2008 debut — at the gnarly event in southwestern Utah on Oct. 14.

Semenuk also captured his third consecutive People's Choice Award, while Storch took home the best trick for his 360 drop. Meanwhile, a new award was offered, as Conor Macfarlane was handed the Kelly McGarry Spirit Award in memory of "McGazza," the New Zealand rider who died suddenly earlier this year.

Semenuk could not be reached to speak further about the win, but on his Facebook page, he thanked the trail builders and fans for helping round out the day.

"Such a wicked day! Thanks to all my fans for 'People Choice' award... so happy with how my line shaped up!" Semenuk posted.

Camp of Champions founder launches Kickstarter

Ken Achenbach of Camp of Champions knows his way around a GoPro.

With some of the top young skiers coming to his summer classes to train, many of them want to remember their time and will wear a camera to capture the adventures.

The filmmaker and photographer has invented a new mounting system for GoPros and other cameras of that ilk, as many existing mounts are limited by bolts in the cameras themselves. Achenbach also invited the twin-tip snowboard and the Grill Mount and noted he's working with the same company to produce his new product.

Achenbach said in a release that the product, the 360 Quick Connect Camera Mount, sets up in three seconds, or fewer, and allows the camera to be mounted at any angle for more "compositional freedom."

Achenbach noted the system has been tested at Camp of Champions Snowboard and Ski Camps, Powder Mountain Catskiing and at other locations around the world for about the past year.

He's looking for a financial boost to bring the product to market so he launched a Kickstarter campaign last week.

As of Oct. 18, nearly 50 people had donated over $5,000 of Achenbach's $40,000 goal. For more information, visit www.prostandard.com.

Whistler Food Bank 5K returning

As the running season gets set to wind down, some locals are looking to help stock the Whistler Food Bank as it gets set to ramp up.

The Whistler Food Bank 5K Run will take place at the Whistler Golf Course on Oct. 30 beginning at 9 a.m. Organizer Dave Clark, the Whistler Half Marathon race director, is pleased with how plans are progressing.

For the first time in the event's history, runners are able to register online at whistlerhalfmarathon.com. With conditions being variable, especially at the end of October, getting people to commit earlier on will hopefully bring more out on race day.

"Weather plays a big part in whether people actually end up showing up," he said. "People can sign up and they can even choose to pay their registration in advance ($10 per person or $20 per family). All that money, 100 per cent, goes to the food bank.

"It mentally gets them to commit to coming out."

In the past, the event has raised anywhere from $200 to $800 in food and cash. This year's goal is to garner between $500 and $1,000.

The wide range of donations aligns with the uncertain number of people who come out, with organizers welcoming between 25 and 70 runners over the years. Clark stressed while there is a competitive aspect, not everyone needs to come out and dash as fast as they can around the loop — recreational participants are encouraged.

"Everybody's welcome, whether you're walking or running or have children that are on pedal bike or in strollers. It's really open to all the community and we're hoping to draw the community out to take part in it and support such a great cause," he said. "It's a distance that's really achievable by most folks."