9 — Rafael Nelson from Bend, Oregon.
(Driver substitution for Jerry Scdoris)
Age 30.

Rafael guides rafting trips on the Rogue River in the summer and sledding trips at Mt. Bachelor in the winter. Four years ago, he learned how to run dogs at the Scdoris kennel in Oregon. The race team has been having great training runs with ATVs through the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area this year. Rafael says “I’m excited to get (my team) out on the beautiful Wyoming trails and see what they can do,” adding that he’s “looking forward to reconnecting with some of the amazing dog people I met last year and seeing some new faces.”

8 — Lina Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.
Age 36.

Lina grew up in a small community in northern Sweden, and became fascinated with sled dogs at a young age. After moving to Canada in 2007, she focused on professional sled dog racing, and has become a part of “the famous mushing dynasty” known as Streeper Kennels. A noteworthy addition to her resume is last year’s first place in the Pas Manitoba World Championships. She and husband, Buddy Streeper, own and operate Streeper Kennels in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. They have two wonderful daughters, Alva and Clara. “I love dogs, and I love Wyoming. I’m proud to be returning to this year’s Stage Stop Race, and I wish all my Stage Stop family a safe and successful event!”

7 — JR Anderson from Buyck, Minnesota.
Age 41.

A native of Minnesota, JR Anderson has dedicated more than 20 years to the sport of endurance canines. He and wife, Anna ‘Chapman’ Anderson, own the River Rock Kennel in Buyck, Minnesota. When not racing dogs, JR can be found playing with his daughter Sara and son Eli. Through research, extensive training, and competitive racing, he’s developed a keen knowledge of the canine’s ability to perform at accelerated levels.

6 — Bruce Magnusson from Newberry, Michigan.
Age 57.

This will be Bruce’s sixteenth consecutive Stage Stop — more consecutive races than any other competitor in the 26-year history of our event — and his 18th year of mushing. Although Bruce grew up playing sports, he says that for him no other sport compares to the thrill of sled dog racing. On his race application, he wrote “this is my favorite race because of the format, the competitive field, and the camaraderie of the whole Stage Stop family. It gives me a perfect excuse to spend 8 days on the trail with my best friends.”

5 — Chris Adkins from Sand Coulee, Montana.
Age 52.

Chris Adkins is a lumber yard worker/dispatcher, and he and his wife, Shannon, operate a 49 dog kennel in Sand Coulee, Montana. He began running his dad’s dogs when he was four years old. Later, he took on one dog race, and then at 21 began his distance career with the Race to the Sky 500. He went on to compete in the Iditarod in 2010, same year as his first IPSSSDR. The Stage Stop has become the focal point of each season.

4 — Anny Malo from Quebec, Canada.
Age 49.

Last year’s Stage Stop champion, Anny was a biologist just out of the university when she met Marco, his group of sled dogs, and literally fell in love with the man and his canine crew. Twenty five years later, they’re all still in love. The pair decided to learn more about the sport in 1998 and worked as handlers with Joe Redington at his Iditarod Kennel in Alaska, a wonderful and powerful experience. With that knowledge and passion, Anny kept driving and racing dogs in Québec and Canada. The family got bigger with two boys, and the sport became a way of life for everyone. Now they travel around North America competing in the sport they love with the dogs and the people they love.

3— Tim Thiessen from Leadville, Colorado.
Age 37.

Tim’s passion for dog sledding began in 2003 when he was hired to work for a Breckenridge, Colorado dog sled tour company. Afterwards, he put together his own team of Alaskan Huskies and competed in local races. He caught the “stage race bug” at the 2018 Eukanuba 8-Dog Classic, and this will be his third time running this race. Tim and fiancé Natalie share their high-altitude homestead in the Mosquito Range of central Colorado with 23 dogs, two cats, a flock of chickens, and some ducks. “I look forward to the challenges of training for this race and I’m excited to take part in this esteemed event.”

2 — Austin Forney from Leadville, Colorado.
Age 39.

Austin was born and raised on a cattle ranch in the Sandhills of western Nebraska, and now lives and trains at 10,152 ft. in Leadville, Colorado. Fourteen years ago he switched from cattle and horses to sled dogs, and has been chasing his mushing dreams ever since. He and Rich and Ben, his veteran handlers, are “excited to spend another year in Wyoming with all of the amazing people and dogs of the Pedigree Stage Stop Race.” He also wants to send a huge thanks to all of his family and friends for their continued love and support. This marks Austin’s sixth consecutive year at the Stage Stop Race. “See you in Jackson!”

1 – Alix Crittenden Bondurant, Wyoming.
Age 33.

Alix Crittenden and her husband Sam own and operate Sleeping Indian Outfitters where they guide horseback, fishing, and hunting trips. For the last five years, Alix has run dogs for Frank Teasley’s Jackson Hole Iditarod Racing. She gives a special thanks to all her dogs “for always being the best they can be.” After finishing third last year, she can’t wait to see her Stage Stop family again. “This race is our big goal for the year.”

#25 — Tim Thiessen from Leadville, Colorado.

Tim’s passion for dog sledding began in 2003 when he was hired to work for a Breckenridge, Colorado dog sled tour company. Soon afterwards, he began to put together his own team of Alaskan huskies and competed in last year’s Eukanuba 8-Dog Classic. Tim lives with his fiancé Natalie in the Mosquito Range of Central Colorado. They share their high altitude homestead with eighteen dogs, two cats, as well as a flock of chickens and ducks. “I look forward to competing alongside this group of esteemed mushers.”