ACTUAL ARCHIVE TEXT (same as below)

May 19,1998

Local Skiboard Firm Wwins SBA Award

Line Skiboard Manufacturing Inc. of Albany, which in three years has become one of the major players in the fast-growing skiboard market, has been chosen by the U.S. Small Business Administration to receive the Exporter of the Year award for SBA's District II. 

Skiboards are worn like skis but are twice the width and half the length, allowing the wearer to "surf" on snow. 

Company president Jason Levinthal began making the boards in his parents' garage, got his big break when a Japanese company ordered 1,000 pairs at a Las Vegas trade show, and expects to make more than 8,000 pairs this year. 

To help it meet demand, Line Skiboard received a $150,000 SBA working capital loan through Capital Bank & Trust Co. of Albany. 

The skiboards, which Levinthal now manufactures at Vatrano Commercial Park in Albany, sell for between $249 and $289.