Local boarders to compete with nation's best

CARRABASSETT VALLEY — March 9 to 11, the final leg of the 2009 US Snowboarding Revolution Tour will conclude at Sugarloaf in the USSA's only eastern stop.

Spectators will able to watch not only the top riders in the U.S., but will be able to cheer on over 15 local athletes from the area and Carrabassett Valley Academy.

What's on the line for the best riders in the country is more than $5,000 in cash prizes, qualifications to the US Grand Prix, Burton US Open, World Juniors, US World Cup, USASA Nationals and Project Gold Camps.

The Revolution Tour is the top junior snowboard tour in the country, featuring competitions in halfpipe, slopestyle, and snowboardcross.

Look for local athletes such as Juliette Bisson who won the last leg of last year's tour and was invited to the US Grand Prix in Boreal, Calif. She recently qualified for and was invited to the World Cup in its only US stop at Sunday River. A recent fractured backbone forced her to pull out of the World Cup and may or may not sideline her at the Sugarloaf venue.

Also a strong contender is Coplin Plantation's own Alex Tuttle who's having an incredible year as a senior at CVA. Tuttle won his age group at last year's USASA National competition, which earned him an invitation to the US Grand Prix at Boreal, Calif. Tuttle's most recent exciting news is an invitation to the 2009 Junior Worlds in Nagano, Japan. Tuttle has found his way onto the podium many times this season competing in some of the toughest brackets available.

Familiar to the Tour and glad to be home at Sugarloaf, are local riders Benjamin Bisson, Dylan Darienzzo, Jack Dawe, Ben Eames and Alex Rodway who are all having a great season.

Over 300 athletes will be competing for top-spots in each discipline.

Look also for CVA and local athletes such as Nicole Colarusso, Ian Daly, Abe Darienzzo, Emily Eames, Hank Poulin, Beau Shannahan, Jasper Tripp and Molly Wasik.

The snowboardcross competition will take place on Sugarloaf's brand new Sidewinder Snowboardcross Course, which was designed by Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott.

Riders will be arriving this week for training and to take part in the Sugarloaf experience.