FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Information:
Karl Stone: 800-887-5464 x202
Alice Pearce: 800-887-5464 x203
Email: media@SkiNH.com
Download Release: www.SkiNH.com
SKI NH AWARDS GRANTS TO
TOP SKI AND SNOWBOARD COMPETITORS
Recipients include competitors from Amherst, Durham, Littleton, and Monroe as well as the ski teams at University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State University
NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, FEBRUARY, 2009 -- The Friends of New Hampshire Skiing grant program, operated by Ski NH member resorts, is proud to announce that grants to help offset the costs of race training and traveling for the 2008-2009 season have been awarded to six ski and snowboard competitors. The grants, for $1,000 per athlete, were awarded based on need, an athlete's past performance, and his or her ability to be in serious contention for a national team or the equivalent.
Many of this year's recipients aspire to make national teams or are just accomplishing this. Among these are alpine racers William Ford of Plymouth and Trevor Leafe of Monroe. Caitlin Ciccone of Littleton competes in Ski Cross which will be part of the 2010 Olympics. Dylan Ferguson who attended New Hampton School as well as Waterville Valley Academy competes in aerial freestyle skiing. Ted Broderick of Amherst competes in disabled alpine racing. Angela Mercieri of Littleton competes in alpine snowboarding.
In addition to the grants awarded to competitive athletes, the program will also this year donate $20,000 to the University of New Hampshire Ski Team and $7,000 to the Plymouth State University Ski Team. The remaining money is invested in an endowment fund to ensure the longevity of the program.
Friends of New Hampshire Skiing is the only program of its kind in the United States. Since its inception as Friends of UNH Skiing in 1978, the program has raised more than $500,000. This past season, more than $36,000 was raised through ticket sales. The tickets, donated by Ski NH member resorts, are packaged and sold to the public with all funds raised dedicated to supporting the training of athletes.
College athletes and post-graduate athletes training for international competition are eligible to submit applications for Friends of New Hampshire Skiing grants. Interested athletes must have a New Hampshire affiliation either through residence, college or ski club and must submit an application by the deadline specified each fall. To receive a grant application, or to find out more about the application and eligibility process, visit Ski NH's website at www.SkiNH.com and click on Ski Area Programs. You can also contact Ski NH at (800) 887-5464 or email Ski NH at media@skinh.com.
Ski NH is the statewide association representing 37 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.
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