New York, NY, April 20, 2004 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED highlights the sports scene in the state of New Hampshire, marking the 40th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI's yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration.

Identifying spring skiing down the slopes of Tuckerman Ravine as a sporting activity unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by New Hampshire native and baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk , plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The New Hampshire edition begins hitting newsstands on Wednesday, April 21 , 2004. Newsstand copies in New Hampshire will feature a cover-flap identifying the special state section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• In April and May daredevils go to Mount Washington to hike up, and hurtle down, the steep slopes of Tuckerman Ravine, writes E.M. Swift in "Spring Fling."
• In "The Simple Life," Carlton Fisk explains how in a climate not suited to baseball, a future big leaguer learned small-town values.
• The Poll: New Hampshirites weigh in on their state's sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:

o Favorite major league baseball team........Boston Red Sox (73%)
o Favorite NFL team........New England Patriots (74%)
o Favorite NBA team........Boston Celtics (47%)
o Favorite NHL team........Boston Bruins (59%)
o Favorite pro team........New England Patriots (40%)
o Greatest athlete Carlton Fisk (34%)
o State's Biggest Rivalry........Red Sox-Yankees (36%)
• Enemy of the State: George Steinbrenner, The Boss completes his sweep of every New England state except Connecticut (where he was a close second). The Granite State's most hated opponents: Steinbrenner's New York Yankees (72%) and the University of Maine (9%)
• Greatest Moment - Editor's pick: The 1998-99 University of New Hampshire hockey team galvanized the Granite State with a run to the Frozen Four. There, led by two goals and an assist from Hobey Baker Award winner (and current Anaheim Mighty Duck) Jason Krog, the Wildcats beat Michigan State to reach the finals for the first time. In the title game, against rival Maine, they erased a 2-0 deficit but lost in overtime
• Sportstown: Lebanon earns Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown honors for having New Hampshire's best community sports programs.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events and festivals in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy , MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Rick McCabe, SI (212) 522-1375; Julie Sprich, Edelman (212) 522-9511