February 7, 2009—Park City, Utah—Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Mont., won the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with an overall time of 23:08:08.

Wendy Davis from Lander, Wyo., was second with an overall time of 24:14:05.  Sam Perrino from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada was third with an overall time of 24:22:42.

This is the fourth IPSSSDR win for 36-year-old Shirilla who was the first woman to win the race in 2002. She won again in 2006 and 2008 before winning today’s race to become a four-time winner. Shirilla began her professional mushing career in 2000. In addition to her IPSSSDR victories, her race resume includes a 2003 win of the Atta Boy 300.

The IPSSSDR, which began on January 30 in Jackson, Wyo., is an eight-day race that travels over 300 miles through 10 Wyoming towns before finishing in Park City, Utah. With its unique “stage stop” racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night; stage stops on this year’s IPSSSDR included Lander, Pinedale/Cora, Big Piney/Marbleton, Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, Mountain View and Lyman.  The communities entertain mushers and spectators alike with such festivities as pancake feeds, dog parades, banquets, carnivals and snowshoe softball.

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, the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states, was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. For complete times, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at bark@wyomingstagestop.org, or telephone at 307.734.1163.

Media Contact:  Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com