SLED DOG LINKS:

Jackson, WY—February 3, 2009—Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Mont., posted the fastest time Day Four of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 4:07:35. Sam Perrino from Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories was second with a time of 4:27:04. Grant Beck, also from Yellowknife, came in third with a time of 4:30:03.

In overall positions, Shirilla moves into the lead with a cumulative time of 10:10:26. Wendy Davis of Lander, Wyo., is second with a time of 10:23:56; Perrino is third with 10:43:05.

On Wednesday, teams will race from Alpine up the Greys River Trail for Day Five before continuing to Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, Lyman/Mountain View, and finally Park City, Utah, for the final stage and awards ceremony on Saturday, February 7.

With its unique dog-friendly "stage stop" racing format, the IPSSSDR stops in a different community each night, allowing the host towns to show their hospitality. Festivities for mushers and spectators alike include 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 dog sled race in the lower 48 states, was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at [email protected], or telephone at 307.734.1163.