Cam Zink - Post Red Bull Rampage Interview

Oct 12, 2010
by Julian Coffey  
As Cam Zink successfully landed his second attempt at a 360 off the Oakley Icon Sender, MTB history was made at the 2010 Red Bull Rampage. So began the next chapter in perhaps one of the greatest comeback stories in freeride history.

After a daunting string of injuries throughout past seasons, Zink's 2010 comeback run started with a third place at Châtel Mountain Style back in July, followed by a very convincing win at Kokanee Crankworx. With his recent victory at the Red Bull Rampage, he has successfully inked himself into the history books - not only is Zink the first rider ever to win Kokanee Crankworx and the Red Bull Rampage in the same season, he has locked down the FMB World Championship title as well.

Cam's season was simply beyond belief. Our man Brett Tippie caught up to him for an in depth interview Pinkbike style, and the good folks at Contour have kindly provided exclusive footage from Zink's helmet cam.Your Red Bull Rampage finals, season, and career have been characterized by overcoming setbacks? Tell us what roadblocks you've overcome.

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The Oakley Icon Sender was made public long before Red Bull Rampage. When did you first think "I can totally three that"? What were you thinking after you crashed on the first attempt?

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There were thousands of people at home watching the live feed as you attempted the first 360 off the Oakley Icon sender, and each and every one of them had their minds blown. Having an audience is part of the game, but does knowing that sometimes play tricks with your head, especially when you call out something of this size? Do you prefer to socialize before a run or do you prefer to be alone and focused?

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The bar gets raised with every season that passes. Do you think that 10 years from now riders will look back at moves of this size the same way we now watch old mountain bike movies on VHS and shake our heads? What was it like spinning off of something so big? Can you describe everything from rolling onto the wood to hitting the next gap?

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That weather delay must have been hard to deal with. What was going through your head as you sat on Ridge 2 and waited for the clouds to part and the wind to die down?

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Did you have a concussion?

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Cam Zink Victory Lap Video from his Contour GPS



How much confidence did winning Crankworx give you?

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Most people don't know your extensive racing background, tell us a bit about your racing history, and do you have any plans to race in the future?

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What riders did you respect when you started freeriding? Whose style do you dig the most now? Who should we watch for as an up and comer?

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Are you hungry for more competition next season?

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How long do you see yourself riding pro for? If you weren't a pro mountain biker what would you be doing? How cool is your girlfriend Amanda?

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Tell us about the differences between your bike setups for Crankworx and for Rampage.

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This is your first season on Corsair. How did you end up riding for them? What other sponsors do you have backing you these days?

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Zink talks us through his Red Bull Rampage line video from his Contour GPS




I heard that you have a new Cadillac...is this true? Any last words or shout outs?

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Micayla Gatto adds a little shine to a mint '59. Photo: Ian Hylands

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Congrats Cam!



Interview photos by:
-Ian Hylands
-Margus Riga
-Justin Brantley
-Keith at M5Photography
-Mike Lord

Title photo by Ian Hylands:

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Author Info:
JulianCoffey avatar

Member since Aug 9, 2010
158 articles

47 Comments
  • 38 1
 way to go! but pinkbike... please bring back traditional "text" interviews
  • 2 0
 Word. Reading isn't a crime...yet! That speakerphone, on the other hand... Good listen all the same and sweet footage despite the lack of footy of the you-know-what off the you-know-what. Congrats, Cam!
  • 26 1
 This red bull video player freaking sucks!
  • 16 0
 ya what the hell I was getting so excited to see the helm cam of the 360 and they pretty much showed the entire run with the helm cam except for the 360 whats up with that
  • 9 1
 yeah im so pissed of iv been searching around to find the vid and it comes up on pb home, i think brilliant, the c*cks leave it out!!!!!!!! ARRRRR
  • 1 0
 Red Bull did not allow any riders to have helmet cams during their comp runs - that footage doesn't exist unfortunately.
  • 5 0
 why? thats the most retarded thing ive ever heard...
  • 1 0
 what about bearclaw? he did..
  • 2 0
 That wasn't his comp run...
  • 1 0
 why redbull didn't allow head cams is non sence, i know there are some bright sparks there who think off some crazy ideas at red bull, but it just seems one very dull one! Not mentioning the 'R' word
  • 1 0
 reillykintsele, lol i thot the same thing until i realized his foot never cam off and then i relized that they didnt show helmet cam of his 3 because he didnt do one in that practice run
  • 1 0
 ohhhhh ok yeah i see what you guys mean now
  • 22 1
 pleas show the helm cam vid of the 360!!!
  • 5 1
 omg 15grand! shit thats alot!
  • 3 0
 I don't really think so. For a professional athlete placing first at one the two biggest events of the year... 15 grand isn't really all that much. He had to put a lot of work into winning that 15 grand.
  • 1 0
 agreed. For putting his life on the line should be 150,000. Its not like Red Bull can't afford it.
  • 2 0
 15k for the win isn't that much when you think of how much is at risk. Cam's first 3 attempt could have put him out forever. 100k for the win and we're getting somewhere.
  • 2 0
 marin must be killing them selfs. cam approached them this year about a sponsor ship, and they turned him down due to lack of performance. must be biting there tongues now
  • 1 0
 Yup. Lucky for Cam too cause Marin sucks!
  • 3 0
 Anyone else noticed the no hands at the last drop before the wallride?
  • 1 0
 gutted wanted to see the 360 on the contour camera! apart from that this dude is fucking crazy and is a legend, way to go zink !
  • 4 3
 Those Contour videos and player suck, how cant they not show the drop in helmet cam view?
But props for Zink doing the shit
  • 3 1
 Riders weren't allowed to wear helmet cams during their official runs. Cam's footage is a compilation of shots from during the practice week and aerial shots etc to show you the whole thing.
  • 2 0
 I WANT OAKLEY DROP 1-person (Zink's) view!!!!!
as everybody does )))))
  • 2 0
 anyone els notice theres a gopro on his orange bike from crankworx....
  • 2 0
 That was a great interview! Cam had one hell of a season that's for sure.
  • 1 0
 i cant stand that announcer. cam mccaul was good but the other guy is terrible
  • 3 2
 Cam I have one word for you. . . . SICK!
  • 1 0
 i thought it was like 3 or 4
  • 2 0
 OMG this is my dream Blank Stare
  • 1 0
 WWZT?
what would zink think?
Pin it and WIN it!!!
  • 2 1
 hes just getting better and better. Keep it up man!
  • 4 3
 cam the man!
  • 56 0
 I was so hoping to see a onboard of that 360 ... dang it!
  • 3 1
 "Holy Mother Trucker!!!"
  • 2 1
 Ha!could care less. micayla gatto is hot!
  • 1 0
 Those were some epic tricks
  • 22 0
 Is is pissing ANYONE else off that there is STILL no helmet cam footage of the Oakley sender?
  • 6 0
 shut the front door! yes i am very angry. im sure that they have it..
  • 3 1
 They don't. Redbull didn't allow them to have on-board footage of their final runs.
  • 3 0
 Ok but they dont even have practice helmet cams of them doing the drop. They have practice helmet cams from like every other persons run (chris van dine, alex pro, darren berecloth, ect.) except the dudes who hit the icon sender.
  • 2 0
 Very few riders hit the sender prior to the competition and on-board cameras weren't supposedly allowed during the comp. It would have been pretty sweet though, for sure.
  • 3 2
 Yeah ZINK!
  • 2 1
 So stoked for him
  • 1 0
 Very interesting ride
  • 1 0
 this is my dream too x\
  • 1 3
 he sure is getting alot of fame since rampage







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