Lander’s Wendy Davis Wins Lander Stage

January 28, 2007—Wendy Davis, from Lander, Wyoming placed first in the 76-mile Lander Stage, the longest stage in the 2007 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), in 6:23:06. Jacques Philip from Nenana , Alaska was second in 6:48:46. In third place, Melanie Shirilla, from Lincoln , Montana , posted a time of 6:54:06.

Eighteen teams raced from Sinks Canyon outside Lander to Irish Canyon near Pinedale with speeds ranging from 9.6 to 14.1 miles per hour. The Lander Stage included a mandatory one-hour layover at Blucher Creek.

On Monday, January 29, the race will depart at 9:00 a.m. from Elk Ridge Lodge/Upper Green River parking lot outside of Cora and travels to Pinedale’s American Legion Park .

During the week, the race travels to Marbleton/Big Piney on January 30, Alpine on January 31; Kemmerer/Diamondville February 1; Evanston/Mountain View, February 2; and then arrives in Park City , Utah , for the final stage and awards ceremony on February 3.

With its unique “stage stop” racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night, allowing Wyoming’s host towns to show their hospitality: Festivities for mushers and spectators alike include pancake feeds, dog parades, banquets, carnivals, and snowshoe softball .

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 contributions 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.