Shirilla Speeds Ahead to Win Day Seven of International  Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race; Maquieira Continues Overall Lead

February 4, 2005— Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana, posted the fastest time in Day Seven of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), completing the 45-mile course in 2:55:23.  Shirilla averaged 15.4 miles per hour on the Bridger Valley stage.

Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska, was second with a time of 3:01:50. Gwen Holdmann from Fairbanks, Alaska, was third in 3:02:55.

In overall times, Maquieira is the leader with a cumulative time of 19:56:49.  Philip is second with 20:09:56.  Shirilla is third with 20:25:55.

The race concludes in Park City on Saturday, February 5. Beginning at 1:00 P.M. at City Library Parking Lot, the public is invited to stop by to “Meet the Mushers.”  At 6:00 P.M., at Park City Mountain Resort at the base of the skiway near First Time Lift, teams will compete in the final stage of this eight-day event.  At 7:30 P.M., the awards ceremony will be conducted, followed by a fireworks display.

Eighteen 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.

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.