Meaghan Fitzpatrick of Farmingdale, recently captured the gold medal racing in the female 10 to 12 age category in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Bromley Mountain located in Manchester Center, VT. The field of competitors at the Feb. 16 event was more than 250 racers.

Bromley was the thirteenth regular season race in a series of 22 Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge races that are taking place throughout the Northeast this season. The race series is in its seventh year of providing free and fun recreational racing to the public. The event is co-sponsored by the New England Ski Areas Council (NESAC) and Mountain Dew, and produced by Black Diamond Events and Good Stuff Entertainment.

The top three finishers in each division qualify for the series championship, scheduled for April 4, 1998 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

In addition to gold, silver and bronze medals for the top competitors, all participants are eligible for prizes which are awarded throughout the day, including goggles and sunglasses from Smith Sport Optics, skis and softgoods from Rossignol, car racks from Barrecrafters, helmets from Boeri, softgoods from Turtle Fur, tapes and CDs from Newbury Comics, bears from the Douglas Cuddle Toys and gloves from Swany Gloves. Additionally, Dunkin Donuts and Newbury Comics snowboard, Chapstick, cases of Aquafina water and a Sony Play Station were rewarded.

Other additioinal major sponsors of the event are All Sport, Chocolate Moose, Snickers, American Express, Ocean Spray and Jeep.

More information on this may be obtained by contacting Peter Camp at Black Diamond Events at (802) 457-9194).