Press Releases
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CONTACT: Darla Worden, Media Relations
(303) 744-0935

Frank Teasley, Director
(307) 734-1163

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Iditarod Champion to Race in 2002 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

December 3, 2001-Jackson Hole, Wyoming--Four-time Iditarod Champion Doug Swingley from Lincoln, Montana, will be among the world-class mushers racing in the 2002 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), announced Race Director Frank Teasley. The largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states, the IPSSSDR is slated for January 26 through February 6, starting in Jackson Hole then traversing nearly 450 miles of Wyoming backcountry before ending in Teton Village.

Thirty top international teams will run in the 2002 IPSSSDR including three-time Alpirod Champion Jacques Philip, Nenana, Alaska; 2000 IPSSSDR third place and 2001 IPSSSDR second place winner, Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana; International Sled Dog Racing Association Gold Medal Winner Joseph Loveless, Roy,Washington; and Grant Beck, Yellowknife NWT, ranked fourth in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports Mid-Distance World Cup Program.

A new twist to this year’s event is the addition of a rest day in Kemmerer, followed by a 98-mile stage from Kemmerer to the Box Y Campout. In previous years, this leg of the race was divided into two stages.

"As in the past, we will see top level competition in the 2002 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race," says Teasley. "The long stage from Kemmerer to the Box Y will add an additional challenging aspect to the race."

Now in its seventh year, the IPSSSDR traverses through 12 Wyoming communities, stopping in a different town each night. The 2002 race begins in Jackson Hole, before traveling through Moran, Dubois, Pinedale, Lander, Atlantic City, Mountain View, Lyman, Evanston, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Alpine and returning to Jackson Hole.

Pedigree Food for Dogs is the title sponsor of the IPSSSDR. The Pedigree brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society. Such programs include Homeward Bound, a national pet adoption support program to encourage adoption of the nation’s 12 million homeless animals; the National Association for Search and Rescue; police canine units; and non-profit organizations that train and place service dogs for hearing and visually impaired people. During the 2002 IPSSSDR, Pedigree will host a daily web cast on its web site, mypetstop.com, that will feature video footage of the race. Through HOMEWARD BOUND, Pedigree will make a donation to animal shelters for each visitor to the site during the race.