Wyoming Musher Wendy Davis Wins International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

February 3, 2007—Wendy Davis from Lander, Wyoming , won the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with an overall time of 23:41:28. Davis dominated the eight-day race, gaining the lead in Stage Two, and maintaining the lead throughout the race.

Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska, placed second with 25:01:02; and Grant Beck from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada was third place with 25:07:32.

Davis, 31, placed 4th in the 2006 IPSSSDR. She began mushing in 2000 in Oregon. She is employed by the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, leading climbing expeditions.

“This is the first time in the IPSSSDR that I’ve been able to relax during the last ten miles of the race,” Davis said, referring to her lead going into the final 14 mile stage. “The IPSSSDR is my favorite race; I love running in my home state.”

The IPSSSDR is an eight-day race, traveling through 10 Wyoming towns including Jackson, Lander, Pinedale, Big Piney/Marbleton, Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, Mountain View before finishing in Park City, Utah.

The final stage took place in Park City as teams competed on a 7-mile course on the Rail Trail. Sam Perrino, from Yellownknife , Northwest Territories , Canada posted the fastest time in Stage Eight with 0:18:52. Beck was second with 0:19:30, and Philip was third with 0:19:39.

With its unique “stage stop” racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night, allowing 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.