Jackson Hole, Wyoming (November 13, 2000) -- Pedigree Food for Dogs has signed on to be a multi-year title sponsor of the International Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, announced Race Director Frank Teasley. Effective with the 2001 race, the new title of the event is the “International Pedigree® Stage Stop Sled Dog Race” (IPSSSDR). The race is slated for January 27-February 7, 2001.

“Our alliance with Pedigree is an exciting development for the race,” said Teasley. “Pedigree is committed to promoting the race through advanced publicity that will be broadcast in top markets; a daily webcast with race footage each day of the race; and a musher support program.”

A qualifying event for the Iditarod, the IPSSSDR hosts 30 champion teams from France, Japan, Canada and the U.S. competing for the race’s $100,000 purse, and traveling nearly 500 miles through Wyoming’s backcountry for 11 days. Now in its sixth year, the race has attracted world-class mushers including Jeff King, Alaska; Bruce Lee, Alaska; Jacque Phillip, France; Hans Gatt, Austria; Dan MacEachen, Colorado; Rick Swenson, Alaska; and Susan Butcher, Alaska. 

The 2001 race begins in Jackson Hole, and travels through Moran, Dubois, Pinedale, Lander, Atlantic City, Mountain View, Lyman, Evanston, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Smoot/Afton, and Alpine, Wyoming before the finish in Jackson Hole. With its unique “Stage Stop” racing format, the race stops in a different Wyoming community each night. Towns host festivities for mushers and spectators ranging from junior dog sled races for children, dog parades, ice sculpture contests, banquets, carnivals and fishing derbies.

The PEDIGREE brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society. Such programs include HOMEWARD BOUND, a national pet adoption support program to encourage adoption of the nation’s 12 million homeless animals; the National Association for Search and Rescue, police canine units, and non-profit organizations that train and place service dogs for hearing and visually impaired people. 

Pedigree Food for Dogs offers complete and balanced, highly palatable products for all different stages of a dog’s life. Developed with veterinarians and recommended by top breeders of champion dogs, Pedigree products contain the Pedigree Natural Body Defense System which includes a scientifically formulated antioxidant blend containing Vitamin E, Vitamin C and zinc. These nutrients help to build dogs' natural defenses and protect them from the inside.

The International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Dog Sled Race was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. Race organizers are working to link the race to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games as an exhibition. For more information, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com or call (307) 734-1163, or visit www.pedigree.com.