Shirilla Sprints to Win Day Seven of the IPSSSDR; Maintains Overall Lead

February 3, 2006—Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana, posted the fastest time in Day Seven of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) in 3:23:34.  Doug Swingley, also from Lincoln, Montana came in second with a time of 3:26:32.  Gwen Holdmann from Fairbanks, Alaska placed third in 3:30:29.

Shirilla leads overall with a time of 23:03:26, followed by Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska in second place in  24:00:18.  Wendy Davis from Lander, Wyoming is third with a time of  24:17:43.

Day Seven, a 41-mile run, began outside Evanston, Wyoming and finished at Deadhorse Trailhead 16 miles south of Mountain View.  Following the race, “Musher Mania,” took place at the Mountain View Town Hall with food, a live band, snowshoe softball and a human sled race.

Tomorrow, February 4, the race will conclude in Park City, Utah.  From 9:30-10:30 a.m. “Meet the Mushers” is open to the public, followed by the final stage of the 2006 IPSSSDR at noon.  At 3:00 p.m., students from communities along the race course compete in the Junior Stage Stop sled dog race.  All events take place at St. Mary’s Church parking lot/cross country ski course at the corner of Highway 224 and White Pine Road.

            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 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 complete times from today’s race, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.

For high resolution images of the race, contact race photographer Leine Stikkel at
lennistikkel@yahoo.com.