WATERVILLE VALLEY, New Hampshire ??” Top U.S. snowboard academies competed for top honors at Waterville Valley Resort as Red Bull Schooled: Snowboard returned for its fourth year to the Northeast. Vermont’s Stratton Mountain School won the combined-discipline event consisting of male slopestyle, women’s slopestyle and skateboarding.

Exclusively open to snowboard academies, Red Bull Schooled provided the opportunity for top academies to compete head to head and take away the important title of “top snowboard school.” Teams consisted of two male slopestyle specialists, a women’s slopestyle specialist, and a skating specialist. Teams competed in a best of three run scenario, with the lowest scoring run being thrown out. Judges were looking for technical expertise, use of course, and style/expression.

“We are so happy to win,” said Ellery Hollingsworth, top women’s finisher and key member of the winning Stratton Mountain School team. “It’s really fun to see all the other academies and ride against your friends. Usually, we compete as individuals, but at this event we’re in it to win it as a team.”

TOP IN CLASS

Enlisting the best of upcoming snowboarding talent in the US, Red Bull Schooled highlights the best of the American snowboard pool and the untapped resource of high school aged athletes. Unlike traditional schools, snowboard academy students often begin their careers while still completing their tenure, sometimes competing at the pro and Olympic level in their teens. The academy system tremendously raises the level of riding for all students.

Waterville Valley Academy took top honors in 2005 and Stratton Mountain School took first place prize as Highest Scoring Team Snow/Skate at Red Bull Schooled in both 2003 and 2004. Past Red Bull Schooled alumni include:
2006 gold medalist, Hannah Teeter; Waterville Valley freestyle powerhouse, Pat Moore; 2006 X Games competitors, Louis Vito and Danny Davis; Burton’s own Luke Mitrani; and others.

2006 WINNERS

– Stratton Mountain School – Highest Scoring Team Snow/Skate: $2,500 tuition scholarship
– Jeremy Thompson (Stratton Mountain School) – Highest Scoring Male – A Hyperlite Wakeskate
– Ellery Hollingsworth (Stratton Mountain School) – Highest Scoring Female
– A Hyperlite Wakeskate
– Huck Gibson (Stratton Mountain School) – Highest Scoring Male Skater – A Hyperlite Wakeskate
– Tim Humphreys (Waterville Valley Academy) – “Extra Credit” jib-jam session male winner – Woodward Scholarship
– Alyssa Randall (Fryeburg Academy) – “Extra Credit” jib-jam session female winner – Woodward Scholarship

For pictures from the event, please visit www.redbullschooled.com or www.waterville.com.