Wyoming Students to race in Junior Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

Jackson Hole, Wyoming--January 6, 2000-- Students ages 8-14 from 16 Wyoming communities will participate in a sled dog race of their own, the IPSSSDR Jr. Stage Stop on February 9, at 2:00 during the final day of the International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, at Teton Village.

Each community on the 2000 IPSSSDR route--Jackson, Moran, Dubois, Pinedale, Lander, Mountain View/Evanston/Lyman, Afton and Alpine-is eligible to send three students to represent their towns in this short exhibition fun run. In order to participate in the race, students agree to donate $25 to the non-profit of their choice, and perform 10 hours of community service work prior to the race.

The program was launched in 1999 by IPSSSDR co-founder Jayne Ottman, and Jackson Hole Musher Maria Hayashida. "Our mission, in creating the the Junior Stage Stop, was to broaden the goals of the IPSSSDR, and to improve the status of youth in our communities statewide," says Maria Hayashida, director of the Junior Stage Stop. "The Junior Stage Stop provides an opportunity for youth to increase their self-esteem, social competency, community involvement and personal sense of self worth. We want to teach students that it feels great to support the non-profit of their choice."

In order to participate, students were asked which charity received their entry and why; what type of community service they provided and to which organization. After the race, students must answer a brief survey asking them to describe their experience--both from the sled dog racing aspect and from making a contribution to a charity; and also how they plan to continue providing community service.

Professional mushers in the 2000 IPSSSDR agree to assist children with the Jr. Stage Stop, and continue to mentor the children after the race as pen pals. Each student is matched with a musher prior to the race so that student can learn about the sport of dog mushing. Students do not need their own dogs or previous mushing experience to participate--equipment and dog teams are provided by the IPSSSDR. In addition, many Jackson area sponsors made contributions to the race including Pearl Street Bagels, Wilson Backcountry Sports, Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours, Continental Divide Sled Dog Tours, Dubois; Valley Feed and Pet, Wildflour Bakery, Chamber of Commerce, Bank of Jackson Hole, Lifelink/Croakies, Visitor's Center, Mostly Fun, M&Ms and Skinny Skis.

The IPSSSDR is the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states attracting top international musters to compete for its nearly $120,000 purse. The 2000 event takes place January 28-February 9, beginning in Jackson Hole then traveling through 14 Wyoming communities before returning to Teton Village. For more information the about 2000 IPSSSDR and the Junior Stage stop, refer to the Web Site at www.wyomingstagestop.org; or contact Maria Hayashida at (307) 733-0750.


JUNIOR STAGE STOP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


Wednesday February 9th Teton Village

10:45 AM: Junior mushers arrive and report to registration site 

12:45-1:15 PM: All IPSSSDR mushers have finished by this time. All junior mushers meet at registration site for informational/safety clinic. This takes 20-30 minutes. All adult volunteers meet here, too. 

1:45 PM: Volunteers placed every 1/8 mile on 2-3 mile course 

2:00 PM: Bib #1 junior musher leaves the starting line. The IPSSSDR musher rides the sled the first 100 yards. It will be at the Junior Stage Stop's discretion and/or the junior musher's request whether the IPSSSDR musher continues to ride the sled the rest of the course. The following teams leave every 2 minutes thereafter. 

3:00-4:00 PM: Photographs will be taken of each junior musher and IPSSSDR musher 

4:00-6:00 PM: Awards ceremony at banquet site. Free admission for each junior musher. Prizes will be given at this time. 

2000 Junior Stage Stop Race Participants and IPSSSDR Mushing Mentors
1. Ryan Williams, age 8, Lander - Zach Steer, Anchorage, AK 
2. Corrina Slingerland, age 11, Hudson - Dan Carter, Jackson, WY 
3. Orlando Rodriguz, age 12, Riverton - Keizo Funatsu, Two Rivers, AK 
4. Austin Baker, age11, Dubois - Amanda Yust, Kremmling, CO 
5. Lindsey Copeland, age 11, Dubois - Clint Hallam, Lyman, WY 
6. Tory Moulton, age 12, Dubois - Bill Pinkham, Aspen, CO 
7. Jason Wease, age 10, Lyman - Sam Perrino, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada 
8. Amy House, age 11, Lyman - Jacques Philip, Nenana, AK 
9. Barry McIff, age 12, Evanston - Melanie Shirilla, Lincoln, MT 
10. Amye Brown, age 10, Pinedale - Dan MacEachen, Snowmass, CO
11. Hannah Fishgrab, age 12, Boulder - Ed Clifford, Raymond, NH 
12. Mae Peterson, age 13, Pinedale - Debbie Moderow, Anchorage, AK 
13. Kiel Lynch, age 11, Moran - Bob Holder, Fairbanks, AK
14. Kaitlan Carr, age 8, Jackson-Sarka Meyer, Fairbanks, AK
15. Nina Palomba, age 8, Jackson-Matt Hayashida, Meeker, CO
16. Nicole Palomba, age 12, Jackson-Terry O. Adkins, Sand Coulee, MT
17. Sarah Domek, age 14, Cora-Rose Sanders, Jackson, WY
18. Riley Copeland, age 8, Dubois-June Davies, Victor, ID
19. Dylan Mair, 10, Mountain View-Jackie Snodgrass, Dubois, WY
20. Toby Merritt, age 12, Afton
21. Madison Wilkes, age 9, Alpine-Dave Torgerson, Elliston, MT
22. Dylan Harris, age 9, Alpine-Ken Anderson, Fairbanks, AK
23. Norman Krell, Kemmerer
24. Anna Backman, Diamondville
25. Amanda Aimone, Kemmerer-Buck Church, Christmas Valley, OR