When the sun goes down in Whistler the lights come up, camera’s roll, and Feet Banks works the crowd. Hosting last night’s GoPro Dirt Diaries and tonight’s Deep Summer events, Feet is as much the show as the video and slide shows. With his Sombrio shirt featuring cowboy snaps and his taming of the bulls (i.e. NFLD photographers) he reminded me of a rodeo clown, which, if you’re reading this Feet, is a compliment. Nicely done!

Anyhow, the big news right out of the gate: Reuben Krabbe won the Deep Summer Photo Challenge. Not only is Reuben a master behind the lens, he is also about the nicest dude you’ll ever meet. He also rips on a mountain bike. On the third day of shooting he took some time out to shred A-Line and, while airing a table, his handle bars caught in his camera bag strap sending him straight to a popular Whistler gathering spot – the medical clinic. Having to finish out the photo comp with a sling and probably some painkillers, Reuben still killed it.

Olympic Plaza and Deep Summer winner Reuben Krabbe. Photos by David Buzzard.

While the rest of the shows made me laugh and cheer, Reuben had me on my feet and I called the outcome right around the end of the first minute of his show – so good! With his $5000 in winnings Reuben made a mass-invite for everyone to join him down at the GLC, the quickest way to blow a medium sized non-cashable novelty check, and probably where I should be right now. Rounding out the prize money was Utah’s Scott Markewitz for three thousand smackers with local (and crowd favorite) Justa Jeskova claiming third prize and $2000 for her efforts. Watch Reuben’s winning slide show here.

One of the newcomers to this year’s slate of Crankworx events was the GoPro Dirt Diaries filmmakers contest. The huge crowd who eventually gathered under the darkening skies in the amazing outdoor venue of Olympic Plaza was treated to some of the best in up-and-coming mountain bike videography. Winner Leo Zuckerman and his two brothers won with standout editing and a cool brotherly storyline. For more on the Dirt Diaries and for Tippie’s post-game interview with the player’s, check this video recap over at PinkBike.com.

Anyhow, it’s been a fantastic last couple of nights under the stars at a great venue in the coolest little mountain town anywhere. If you missed it, mark your calendar’s for Deep Winter, because winter is coming.

-Jer