NEWRY, Maine — Sunday River has been selected to host the 2009 Nature Valley NASTAR Open January 31 ??“ February 1, 2009. The Nature Valley NASTAR Open is open to all NASTAR participants but limited to the first 600 racers that register. The male and female with the fasted times posted from the Race of Champions on Sunday, February 1, will win entry, airline tickets, and lodging to the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships in Steamboat Springs, CO March 26-29, 2009. U.S. Ski Team athletes AJ Kitt and Doug Lewis, as well as one of their most successful coaches, Phil McNichol, will be onsite as well.

“Sunday River is very excited to host the Nature Valley NASTAR Open,” said Dana Bullen, general manager for Sunday River. “NASTAR is a wonderful program and aligns perfectly with our resort’s commitment to competitive programs. It will be exciting to see so many different disciplines compete for this distinct honor.”

Interested participants will compete within their age and gender category as well as discipline. Registered guests will be placed in a division based on their single best handicap from their first race on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Participants will compete in either the Platinum/Gold Division or Silver/Bronze Division. There will be three race venues with two dual courses operating morning and afternoon races to ensure excellent race conditions for all participants.

Snowboarders, telemark skiers and physically challenged racers will compete in their own non-alpine division according to their discipline, regardless of their handicap. Physically challenged racers are differentiated according to their disability.

The competitor with the single best final handicap in each age and gender category in each division will win a Nature Valley NASTAR Open Title and an invitation to compete in the Race of Champions on Sunday, February 1, 2009.

The best handicap earned will determine each competitor’s final result in their division Platinum/Gold or Silver/Bronze. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be presented to the first, second and third place finishers in each age and gender category in each division during Saturday’s awards ceremony. The top three in each age group and division will automatically qualify for the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships Steamboat Springs, CO March 26-29, 2009.

In addition to the exciting race competition, participants will have the chance to meet and race with a few of the U.S. Ski Team’s most accomplished athletes including AJ Kitt and Doug Lewis, as well as attend pre-race clinics with the U.S. Ski Team’s most successful coach, Phil McNichol. Recently retired from directing the men’s team, McNichol helped Daron Rahlves, Bode Miller, Ted Ligety and many other U.S. Ski Team athletes reach the top of the World Cup podium during his eleven year career as a U.S. Ski Team coach.

For more information on the Nature Valley NASTAR Open including registration, visit www.sundayriver.com.

Sunday River is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A true four-season destination, the resort offers eight interconnected peaks of world class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. www.sundayriver.com or call 800-824-2SKI.