RED BULL SCHOOLED: SKI DEBUTS, TOP U.S. SKI ACADEMIES COMPETE FOR HONORS

CARRABASSETT VALLEY ACADEMY FINISHES AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS

Loon Mountain, New Hampshire – (March 5, 2006) – Ski school was in session as six of the nation’s top ski academies competed for honors at the inaugural session of Red Bull Schooled: Ski. Of the competing academies, the four students representing Carrabassett Valley Academy (Sugarloaf, Maine) finished at the top of the class with impressive performances from Evan Schwarte, Gabriela Wansker-Krish, M. Banks Gilbert, and Nick Low.

Each team consisted of four athletes with at least one female. Ages of all the Red Bull Schooled competitors ranged from 12 to 18 years old. Judging was based upon three elements: technical expertise, use of course and style/expression. Judges included IJC (International Judging Committee) officials and industry legends.

The contest format consisted of a Slopestyle event, Big Air, and an "extra credit" jib session featuring a wall ride and a difficult monkey bar rail feature, only hit by several of the skiers.

The daylong event concluded with CVA receiving a $2,500 tuition endowment and the coveted Red Bull Schooled Trophy for the year. Awards were also rewarded for the top male and female overall performances, plus an "extra credit" freeride session. Seventeen year-old, John Srenin of Burlington, VT won the men’s portion and fifteen year-old Cammie Wolff of Cape Elizabeth, ME won the female portion.

"I’m so stoked to win," said 17 year-old John Srenin from the Waterville Valley Academy, winner of the "extra credit" jam session. "The rail feature was crazy, but super fun."

For the last three years, the Red Bull Schooled event was limited only to snowboarders, but this year the doors opened for the nation’s top skiers. The best of the American skiing pool was showcased with all of the academies skiing phenomenally

Unlike traditional schools, these skiing students often begin their careers while still completing their tenure, oftentimes competing at the pro and Olympic level while still in their studies.

FINAL RESULTS

1st – Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA), Maine

2nd – Waterville Valley Academy (WVA), New Hampshire

3rd – Okemo Mountain School (OMS), Vermont

4th – Snowshoe Mtn. Underground, West Virginia

5th – Gould Academy, Maine

6th – Waterville Valley/Holderness, New Hampshire

Top male overall scorer – M Banks Gilberti (CVA)

Top female overall scorer – Beth Maney (OMS)

Extra Credit (jib session) male winner – John Srenin

Extra Credit (jib session) female winner – Cammie Wolff

Chip Allen
Red Bull Schooled: Ski