Jackson, Wyoming –October 3, 2004—The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states, will expand the 2005 route into Utah by adding a final stage stop in Park City announced Race Director Frank Teasley. Dates for the 2005 race are January 28th through February 5th with the race kick off at the Jackson Hole Winter Carnival, then continuing on through the week with stage stops in Lander, Pinedale, Alpine, Kemmerer, and Evanston/Mountain View/Lyman, Wyoming before concluding in Park City.

To celebrate its tenth year, the IPSSSDR begins with a big send-off at the Jackson Hole Winter Carnival complete with a bonfire, fireworks show, music and food booths.
“What a great way to celebrate our tenth year by expanding the race into Utah and participating in the Jackson Hole Winter Carnival,” says Race Director Frank Teasley. “We would not have made it to this milestone birthday without the support of the many Wyoming communities who have helped the race through the years.”

With its unique “Stage Stop” racing format, the race stops in a different community each night. Towns host festivities for mushers and spectators ranging from junior dog sled races for children, dog parades and ice sculpture contests, to banquets, carnivals and fishing derbies.
The IPSSSDR is limited to 30 teams. Previous IPSSSDR champions include Rick Swenson, Alaska, 1996; Hans Gatt, Austria, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001; Jeff King, Alaska, 1999; Melanie Shirilla, Montana, 2002; Gwen Holdmann, Alaska, 2003; and Blaine “Buddy” Streeper, from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, 2004, who will return in 2005 as the defending champion.
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.

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. For more information, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com or telephone at (307) 734-1163, or visit www.pedigree.com.

Friday, January 28 Jackson Hole
Winter Carnival, Start of IPSSSDR
Saturday, January 29 Travel day to Lander
Sunday, January 30 Lander Stage
Travel to Pinedale, following the race
Monday, January 31 Pinedale Stage
Stay overnight at Elk Ridge Lodge
Tuesday, February 1 Elk Ridge to Pinedale Stage
Travel to Alpine
Wednesday, February 2 Alpine Stage
Travel to Kemmerer
Thursday, February 3 Kemmerer Stage
Travel to Evanston
Friday, February 4 Bridger Valley Stage
Saturday, February 5 Park City, Final Stage

Contact: Darla Worden, International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
307.734.5335; dworden@dimensional.com