NORTH CONWAY, New Hampshire ??” Brian Sullivan of Stratham, NH, took top honors at Cranmore Mountain Resort’s 2005 Sports Illustrated for Kids “Next Snow Search,” a national talent search to find young athleteswho best represent the next generation of extreme skiers and snowboarders. Second place went to Brendan Wall of Rockport, MA and rounding out the top three was Neil Sullivan of Concord, MA. Brian earned entry into the nationally televised Next Snowsearch Championships and $400 toward airfare to Keystone Resort, CO.

Eighteen contestants, ages 9 to 13, were judged on all elements of the on-mountain experience, from park and pipe, to bumps, and racing. The judges, including former freestyle skier and Ski Magazine Contributing Editor Moira McCarthy and Freelance Ski Writer and Editor of The Mountain Ear Newspaper Tom Eastman, also interviewed the participants to evaluate character. An impromptu talent show ala American Idol, revealed some unique talents such as break dancing, displays of physical contortion and playing the guitar.

The search, ending in January, consisted of 70 qualifying rounds, including four super-qualifier events held at resorts across the United States and Canada. The series will culminate with the championships at Keystone Resort, CO, February 11-13, which will be aired on the NBC Network.

For the finals, more than 150 young athletes, ages 9-13, who have been selected from the qualifying events, will compete in everything from park and pipe competitions to bumps, racing, and big mountain skiing – a three-day test of all-around skill on snow at Colorado’s Keystone Resort.

NBC Sports will broadcast the 2005 Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search finals on March 5, 2005 (2-3PM EST, 12-1PM MST). The one-hour program will showcase the kids who represent the future of skiing and snowboarding.

For more information about Cranmore Mountain Resort, call 1-800-SUN N SKI (786-6754) or visit www.cranmore.com.