1. Stacey S. Teasley, Jackson, Wyoming; age 42
2007 IPSSSDR: 15th Place
When asked how she became interested in the IPSSSDR, Stacey Teasley responds,
"By becoming interested in Frank!"
Stacey and Race Director and Founder Frank Teasley were married in September, 2006. Stacey feels fortunate full
time; for the opportunity to live and work with the dogs. Stacey’s interest in sled dogs (and Frank) started in
2002, when she returned to Jackson after sailing the Caribbean for several years. As fate would have it, she
co-founded a transportation company that received the contract to deliver clients to Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled
Dog Tours (where she met the dogs and Frank). Once she saw the dogs in action, Stacey says,
"It took me about
1/2 a second to realize what I wanted to do next. Mush! Everyday is a
learning experience and I cherish the opportunity."
2. Dustin Schmidt, Jackson, Wyoming; age 23
2008 IPSSSDR Rookie
Dustin credits his own start to IPSSSDR’s Jackson start; where several years as a race volunteer stirred an interest
in dog sledding and ultimately professional mushing. A Seattle, Washington native; Dustin moved to Wyoming via
California in 2004. After 3 years at Frank Teasley’s kennel, and what Dustin considers
"the natural progression
of things,” Dustin and his team of pups make their 2008 IPSSSDR debut.
3. Magali Philip, Nenana, Alaska; age 38
2007 IPSSSDR: 7th Place
Magali holds dual citizenship, both in her native France and --as of 2002-- here in the United States. Magali’s bachelor’s
degree in Tourism takes backseat to her dogs. "My sled dogs are my life. I live for them. Everyday I woke up so anxious and
happy to see them. I do not see life without my dogs." In 2005, Magali competed in the Grand Odyssee in Europe and she has
also competed in the Fairbanks ONAC, LNAC, Atta Boy 300, the IFSS World Championship, and Kamchadal, a new 200-mile stage
race in Russia. She designs web sites when she is not racing and her hobbies include gardening, hunting, salmon fishing and
digital photography.
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4. Jacques Philip, Nenana, Alaska; age 51
2007 IPSSSDR: 2nd Place
Jacques Philip graduated from medical school in Paris with a degree in sports medicine and compared nutrition.
Today Jacques is a professional musher who also writes computer software in the summer. He began mushing in 1980,
and owns a kennel of about 80 dogs between Fairbanks and Nenana. He has climbed Denali with a team of sled dogs,
finished the Iditarod several times, and was ranked #2 in the World Cup point championships for 2001. Jacques,
who has placed in the top five in numerous races, is also three-time winner of the Alpirod, the Alaska Comeback Race,
and the Sheep Creek Lodge Race.
5. Bruce Magnusson, Manchester, Michigan; age 44
2007 IPSSSDR: 8th Place
Bruce Magnusson , who owns Lincoln Forge in Michigan, began mushing in 2002. Since then, he has competed in the
Beargrease 150, the Grand Portage and the Midnight Run. He became interested in the IPSSSDR because of the
"great format, high level of competition, and Lloyd Gilbertson." Bruce says,
"My wife and I went to a race to
handle for my Dad and after that we agreed we need to try sled dogs. Now four years later, we drive 560 miles,
round trip, every week to run our 28 dogs. We hope to race in Alaska some day." Bruce’s continued participation
in the IPSSSDR comes as no surprise after an inquiry about his hobbies generated the response:
"only dogs left."
6. Sam Perrino, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; age 31
2007 IPSSSDR: 4th Place
Sam—who began racing competitively at the age of 14—has seen a larger part of Canada and US by sled. Sam’s standard
team includes his wife Petra, and his son Quinn, whose help is always appreciated at the races.
"I started mushing
because I love working with dogs," says Sam. "The reason I like the IPSSSDR is because of the stage stop format.
It keeps it fun for both the musher and dogs while keeping it very competitive." Sam, who lives in a climate where
it can be - 40 degrees, says "We look forward to racing in the warmth of Wyoming." He has run in the Iditarod, Yukon
Quest, Atta Boy 300.back to top
7. Jarle Halsnes, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; age 50
2007 IPSSSDR: 9th Place
Jarle Halsnes hails from Sauda, Norway, and began running dogs in 2003.
"Before that, Siberian Huskies were my training partners for Alpine Ski
Racing and Skijoring," Jarle says. His Alpine career is impressive: Jarle
is a Norwegian champion who participated in the 1978 World Championship and the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid,
podium skier in the World Cup European Championship overall, and three times, World Pro Champion. He has lived
in the US for the past twenty years. He lives in Steamboat Springs with his wife Leigh, and two children,
Krista, 13, and Erik, 11. "We have good trails here for running
dogs," he says. And Jarle attributes his
original interest in IPSSSDR to its unique format: I "like the stage stop idea," he says!
8. J.R. Anderson, Ray, Minnesota; age 28
2007 IPSSSDR: 6th Place
J.R. Anderson is a carpenter and sled builder by trade. He grew up with dogs and began racing at age 7. J.R. and
his wife Anna’s Husky Creek Kennel, in Ray, Minnesota is home to 60 dogs.
"My wife and I love running dogs, and
being able to do it together." Three years of IPSSSDR participation, have affirmed for J.R. that the IPSSSDR is a
"great race," and he expresses enthusiasm for the 2008 race and Wyoming’s favorable weather; warm only in comparison
to Ray, MN!
9. Mark Stamm, Riverside, Washington, age 50
2002 IPSSSDR: 11th Place
With a mushing history that dates to 1976; Mark has committed 31 years to mushing—just one year shy of his
32 years spent repairing yachts. Mark is enthusiastic about his current team who he believes are capable
of outdoing even the team with which he won last year’s Race to the Sky, in Montana.
"This is the fastest
team I’ve ever had, and I am excited to see what that means at the stage stop." Mark’s race resume includes
both Iditarod and Yukon Quest races. back to top
10. Kate St-Onge, Millville, Utah; age 47
2007 IPSSSDR: 13th Place
Originally from Massachusetts, Kate and her husband Rick made the transition to Utah in 1996 where they own and
run the "Galloping Husky Ranch" in Millville. Kate and her husband Rick have run sled dogs recreationally since
1985. In Massachusetts, Kate devoted 10 years to emergency room nursing before transitioning her entire focus to
the dogs (her husband continues to practice as an orthopedic surgeon). Kate is appreciative of her husband Rick,
"the best handler and husband in the whole world" and his support throughout the race:
"I thank my husband Rick
for letting me run it again, because he is just dying to do it. I promised him next year." With a successful
circuit in the sprint/mid-distance racing class, Kate enjoys the challenges of stage racing.
11. Melanie Shirilla, Lincoln, Montana; age 35
2007 IPSSSDR: 5th Place
Although Melanie has been mushing since 1994, her professional mushing career began in 2000. Melanie holds claim
to dual IPSSSDR wins; placing first in both 2002 and 2006 races. Her race resume also includes a 2003 win of the
Atta Boy 300. She says "I enjoy the lifestyle that running dogs demands, and the people who I have met along the
way." Among these people, is fellow musher, kennel partner and husband Doug Swingley. In her spare time, Melanie
enjoys endurance horseback riding in the summer, and running. She has completed multiple marathons as well as 2
ultras. "I feel it helps me during the dog racing season," Melanie says.
12. Doug Swingley, Lincoln, Montana; age 54
2006 IPSSSDR: 3rd Place
Doug has been mushing since 1989 and currently lives in Lincoln, Montana with fellow musher and wife
Melanie Shirilla. Known for flying down a trail with his dog team, Four-time Iditarod Champion Doug
Swingley, is also passionate about another kind of flying. A zealous pilot, Doug says he loves
"Melanie,
dogs, mushing, Montana living, and flying my plane." In addition to the Iditarod and the IPSSSDR, Doug’s
racing experience includes Race to the Sky Champion 1991; Beargrease Champion 1994, 1996; Kusko 300
Champion, 1999; and Grand Portage Passage Champion, 2000, 2001. back to top
13. Wendy Davis, Lander, Wyoming; age 32
2007 IPSSSDR: Winner
After gaining the lead in Stage 2, Wendy maintained the lead over the course of the eight-day race to win
the 2007 IPSSSDR. Wendy began mushing in 2000 in Oregon and it was during a race in Oregon that she and
Lloyd Gilbertson met and decided to join forces. Wendy has been running Lloyd and Mary Gilbertson's dogs,
who are based out of Michigan, since 2003. Wendy is a Lander, Wyoming local where she instructs both
climbing and mountaineering courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School. The IPSSSDR is her favorite
race and she loves running in her home state. Always passionate about the mushing, Wendy holds:
"The
IPSSSDR is my favorite race" and "Wyoming is my favorite place to run."
14. Mary Gilbertson, Chatham, Michigan; age 53
Mary is the mother of two sons—both sergeants in the army. A nurse
by profession, Mary and husband Lloyd have a kennel, Caribou Creek Gold,
just south of Lake Superior - "the lake provides us with cool summers and a lot of snow
in the winter," says Mary. For Mary, mushing translates as an opportunity to be outside, with the dogs, in the
peace and quiet. Mary credits the dogs for her continued interest:
"the interaction and care of the dogs is the
part of Mushing that holds my interest." 2008 marks Mary’s 3rd IPSSSDR and she considers this year’s race a perfect
stage to help her team –younger and less experienced than her husband’s
- to progress. In 1998, Mary was awarded the Beargrease Marathon Rookie of the year.
15. Dennis Laboda, Horland, Minnesota; age 49
2008 IPSSSDR Rookie
IPSSSDR runs in the Laboda family: Dennis first learned of the IPSSSDR through his brother’s participation.
Dennis’s history of sprint, mid-distance and distance racing is demonstrative of the flexibility of Dennis
and his team. In the sled dog world, Dennis wears many hats: Previous roles include trail boss, race judge,
race marshal, race consultant, musher representative, and race board member. At the 2008 IPSSSDR, look for
Dennis on his sled, because in his words: "he really just likes to run dogs."back to top
16. Terry Adkins, Sand Coulee, Montana; age 64
2006 IPSSSDR: 17th Place
Terry’s participation in the first Iditarod (1973), as the only race veterinarian musher, marks the first of his
22 Iditarod’s. Terry has covered mush of the United States and Canada on sled:
"I have raced in Maine, Minn.,
Alaska, California, Montana, Wisconsin, Idaho and Canada." Retired from the United States Air Force; Terry devotes
his energy to operating the Adkins Alaskan Huskies Racing Kennel. When Terry’s needs a break from the kennel,
he’s likely traveling, hunting, or in the garden.
17. Grant Beck, Yellowknife NWT, Canada; age 58
2007 IPSSSDR: 3rd Place
Grant Beck has been living and working with sled dogs all of his life. His ancestors used sled dogs traditionally
as a way of life for many generations. Grant has raced in many classes during his career and presently enjoys mid
distance and stage races. Grant has won hundreds of races including: Pirena in Spain, the Defi De Lac in Quebec,
and placed 3rd in the inaugural Grande Odyssee 2005 in France. He is presently ranked 2nd in the International
Federation of Sleddog Sports World Cup Program. Grant and his wife Carol own a kennel of 150 dogs which includes
all of the dogs he uses for his tour business that provides tours to thousands of Japanese clients each year.
18: Butch Austin, Fruita, Colorado; age 59
2008 IPSSSDR Rookie
Fifty nine year old Butch began mushing in 2004. In four short years, Butch has participated in The Mancos Mush,
Race to the Sky, Eagle Cap, K-9 Challenge, Seeeley 300 and last years (2007) Iditarod. Butch credits the sled dogs—
which he runs under the kennel name "Home of the Spoiled Critters"—for new friendships and invaluable life experience.
Butch; a fourth generation Colorado native; Father to three, and Grandfather to three; lives with his wife Beth in Fruita, Colorado.
19. Aaron Peck, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada; age 28
2008 IPSSSDR Rookie
Aaron has always wanted to compete in Wyoming’s mountains—and this year he’ll get the chance when he participates in
his first IPSSSDR. While a 2008 IPSSSDR “rookie”, Aaron is no rookie to mushing or the race circuit; He began mushing
at the age of 13 and his past race experience includes participation in both 2000 and 2005 Iditarods, which he counts
among his greatest achievements with his dogs. In Aaron’s words: he “loves the adventure of long distance racing and
working together with his gods to achieve a goal.” Professionally, Aaron splits his time between carpentry and dog
sledding, spending winters as a dog sled guide for Kingmik Dog Sled Tours and summers as a carpenter.
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