International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race

Previewed By: Kori Price

If you haven’t already noticed the dog sled signs on every street corner in East Jackson, get ready for the truckloads of snow that’s about to be hauled in to make the perfect track for this year’s 18th annual Pedigree ‘Stage Stop’ Sled Dog Race, this Friday, January 31. Catch the canine spirit as mushers and their sleighman dogs tighten the tuglines in Town Square at 6:30 p.m., then weave through several streets to end at Snow King for a firework party and torchlight parade. Spectators should bundle up for the cold, but the festivities are free.

Similar to the Tour de France, the teams will commence the next morning in Alpine and continue their timed, 350-mile race across ten towns and three states. Known as “the dog friendly race” because they rest each night, this “stage stop” strategy attracts some of the world’s top competitors and allows for host towns to showcase their community spirit and hospitality. Crowds of people congregate to get a close-up first look of the competing teams and celebrate the sport.

This race was launched in 1996 by local, professional musher, Frank Teasley, with three goals in mind: showcase the beautiful state of Wyoming, make dog sledding more accessible to the public and spread the word about the need for childhood immunizations, which is a cause they contribute to every year. Pedigree has sponsored this event for the past 13 years and is dedicated to providing one year’s worth of food for one dog to each animal shelter on the race route.

For more information, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org or contact the race at 307.734.1163.

2013 IPSSSDR Slidewshow