LINCOLN, New Hampshire ??” Loon Mountain, gravity’s playground, is hosting one of the regionals for “The Main Event” Snowboard Series on Saturday, January 29. This is the only series on the east coast to provide an automatic invitation to the U.S. Open. The points leader at the end of the series will receive a wild card invitation to participate in the U.S. Open Snowboard Championships at Stratton, Vermont in March 2005. While the U.S. Open wild card spot is for the professional class only, amateurs are invited to participate as well. This is the second event in the east coast series with an additional event at Waterville Valley on March 3 to complete the series.

This qualifier contest will be taking place on a “mini slopestyle” course using one jump and one rail. The riders advancing, will then have two runs to advance to the final heat. All riders who make the finals will be judged on two runs in a “jam format” final. Judges will be looking at the three critical areas of performance: execution, difficulty and style.

Prizes will be awarded to top three amateur riders at each event. “Paychecks” will be awarded to the top rider in the pro class: male and female. “Winner take all” will be the theme for each event through the end of the series. World Championship “MAIN EVENT” belts and boxing gloves will be awarded to the top points leaders along with the wild cards. The professional winner of Loon’s Main Event will also receive an automatic invitation to participate in the 2005 Gravity Games at Copper Mountain in Colorado, March 3-6.

Registration forms and the scoring format is online at www.maineventseries.com. Any rider who shows up the day of the event without prior online registration will be subject to a $10 fee. Registration is slated for 8:30 to 10 a.m. in Loon’s Octagon Lodge. The competition is scheduled to take place in the Loon Mountain Terrain Park, above the superpipe, beginning at 11 a.m.

For more information, call 1-800-229-LOON (5666) or visit www.loonmtn.com.