LUDLOW, Vermont — On Sunday, January 28, skiers and snowboarders went huge in Okemo Mountain Resort’s SoBe Superpipe for 2007’s first halfpipe competition in the eastern U.S. The Lindsey Baron Memorial Halfpipe Competition is a part of Okemo’s Freeride Series. All proceeds from the competition are being donated to the Lindsey Baron “Bubba” Foundation, which raises money for scholarships and programs that promote acts of kindness and reward and encourage the values which Lindsey embraced: friendliness, inclusiveness, unselfishness, citizenship and empathy. Prizes were awarded in four divisions.

In the division for snowboarders age 16 and older, Skyler Thomas (20), of Chester, Vt., was the judges’ favorite. Okemo Mountain Resort Freeride Team member TJ James (19), of Proctorsville, Vt., took second place ??“ coming back from a crash in the first heat that looked like the end of day for James. Chris Mitchell (31) of Milton, Vt., rounded out the top three positions with a very solid showing of scores.

Skiers, age 16 and older, were equally competitive. Darren Scheufele (17), of Weston, Conn., took top honors in his division. Tyler Galloway (16), of Westwood, N.J., placed second, and Michael Stratman (21), of Ludlow, Vt., took third.

In the snowboarders age 15 and younger division, Sam Hammer (12), of Westport, Conn., was the happy winner of his group. Randall Reynolds (14), of Higganum, Conn., took second place honors, and Arissa Fram (14), of West Hartford, Conn., placed third and was the only female to make it to the winners’ circle.

The young skiers age 15 and younger division was taken by Christopher Conetta (14), of Stamford, Conn. Second place went to Scott Hartman (15), of Westport, Conn. Rounding out the top three positions in his division was Okemo Freeride Team member Dale Talkington (14), of Weston, Vt.

Prizes and awards were provided by Okemo Freeride Series sponsors: SoBe, ScottUSA, Dakine, Obermeyer, Salomon, Atomic Snowboards, Level Gloves, and Mountain Dew. Every competitor entered in the contest received a Lindsey Baron “Bubba” T-shirt and medal.

For more information about Okemo Mountain Resort or upcoming competitions, please call (802) 228-1600 or visit okemo.com.