Philip Wins Day Four of International  Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race; Maquieira maintains overall lead

Jeremy Anderson runs beside his dogs at the finish of Stage 4 in Pinedale.

February 1, 2005— Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska, posted the fastest time in Day Four of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) in 2:13:57.  Running eight dogs, Philip averaged 15.2 miles per hour on the 33-mile course that began at Elk Ridge Lodge in the Upper Green River and ended in Pinedale.

Hernan Maquieira from Argentina, placed second in 2:14:14.  Gwen Holdmann from Fairbanks, Alaska was third in 2:15:44.

In overall times, Maquieira stays in the lead with 9:18:33; Philip is second with 9:23:30.  Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana is third with 9:39:01

Day Five begins at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2, in Alpine—a 60 mile trek up the Greys River.

Nineteen teams are competing in the 2005 IPSSSDR—the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. With its unique “Stage Stop” racing format, the race stops in a different community each night from January 28 through February 5, 2005, beginning in Jackson, then on to Lander, Pinedale, Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, and Lyman/Mountain View before arriving in Park City, Utah for the final stage and award ceremony on Feb. 5^th.

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.