2002 Daily Results

Contact: Darla Worden, Media Relations, 307-752-4026

 For Immediate Release

Shirilla Maintains Lead after Stage Three of International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

Elk Ridge Lodge, Wyoming—January 28, 2002—Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana, won stage three of the IPSSSDR with a time of 5:52:38. Doug Swingley of Lincoln, Montana, was second with 6:22:01; Ken Anderson of Fairbanks, Alaska, was third with 6:28:31.

Beth Gagnon of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was fourth with 6:33:42; Sam Perrino, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, fifth with 6:37:13.

In cumulative standings, Shirilla maintains the lead with 9:51:44, followed by Swingley with 10:25:29 and Anderson, third, with 10:41:47.

Teams encountered 10-13 inches of fresh snowfall on the 58-mile stage from Dubois to Elk Ridge Lodge. Tonight at Elk Ridge Lodge, they camp for the first of three campouts during the race.

With its unique stage stop racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different Wyoming community each night. The 2002 race, which began on January 26, will travel through Pinedale, Lander, Evanston, Mountain View, Lyman, Kemmerer/Diamondville and Alpine before returning to Jackson Hole on February 6.

During the 12-day race, Pedigree will host a daily web cast on www.pedigree.com, that will feature 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 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race 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.