Shirilla Wins 2002 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

2002 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Champion Melanie Shirilla with Second Place Winner Doug Swingley at the Finish Line

Jackson Hole, Wyoming—February 6, 2002—Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana, won the 7th annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race with a cumulative time of 35:34:58. Doug Swingley from Lincoln, Montana, was second with 36:42:23; Ken Anderson from Fairbanks, Alaska, was third with 36:59:16.



Shirilla first raced in the IPSSSDR in 2000, finishing in third place. She returned in 2001, placing second behind four-time IPSSSDR winner Hans Gatt who won with a time of 35:44:52.

Sam Perrino from Yellowknife, NWT, posted the fastest time in stage eleven of the race with 0:32:08; Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska, was second with 0:32:08 followed by Ken Anderson from Fairbanks, Alaska, in third with 0:33:16.

The 450-mile International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race began on January 26, 2002, traveling through 12 Wyoming communities in 12 days. Pedigree hosted a daily web cast on www.pedigree.com, featuring video footage of the race. Through Homeward Bound, a national pet adoption support program, Pedigree will make a donation to animal shelters for each visitor to the site during the race.

The IPSSSDR will be featured in a 30-minute program on the Outdoor Life Network, Sunday, March 31, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. The IPSSSDR was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. The event is supported by a number of Wyoming businesses including Union Cellular, Bank of Jackson Hole and JacksonHoleNet.com. For more information, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, or contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com.