LINCOLN, New Hampshire ??” Loon Mountain is proud to announce that 21 athletes from the Loon Mountain Snowboard and Freeride Team programs were successful at the 2006 United States of America Snowboard Association Nationals held at Northstar-at-Tahoe resort from March 25 – April 1. More than 1,500 freestyle skiers and snowboarders from 35 regional series competed in five events: Giant Slalom, Slalom, Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Boardercross.

The Loon Snowboard & Freeride Team earned 21 top ten finishes which include seven top five’s, one bronze, two silver’s and one gold medal. Grommet boys (age 8-9) competitor Ben Chapin led the team with a gold medal in Giant Slalom and silver in Slalom. Other standouts include Nicole Perusse (Menehune Girls 10-11), Shayna Aaronson (Grommet Girls 8-9) and Jack Herald (Grommet Boys 8-9) who all placed in the top ten in all five events they entered.

“Congratulations to all the athletes during the course of the year and at Nationals” said Loon Mountain Snowboard and Special Teams Director Luke Shelley. “The success of the Loon Mountain athletes would not have been possible without the entire coaching staff, the support of Loon Mountain and the exceptional training ground offered within our signature Loon Mountain Terrain Park & Pipe.”

USASA hosts more than 500 events annually at 200 resorts throughout the U.S. Each of the USASA series holds eight to 20 events each year. Beginner, intermediate and expert riders, ages 4 to 74, compete in 32 separate divisions in their regional series to earn a chance to participate in the USASA National Championship. The New Hampshire Series currently has 287 active competitors and four competition hosting resorts: Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Cranmore Mountain Resort and Ragged Mountain. This past season Loon Mountain led the New Hampshire Series with 3 halfpipe, 1 Giant Slalom, and 1 Slalom competitions.

For information on Loon Mountain snowsports programs, please visit www.loonmtn.com.