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Roster filled for 2011 Sled Dog RaceRoster filled for 2011 Sled Dog RaceTuesday, July 27, 2010 By Business Report Staff JACKSON — Temperatures across Wyoming are soaring into the 90s this week, but at least some state residents are thinking ahead to cooler times. Wyoming’s premier sled dog race, the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), has filled its roster with 25 teams registered for the upcoming January 28 — February 5, 2011, event, Race Director Frank Easley announced today. Registration for the event is now closed and interested teams will be placed on a waiting list. “The interest in this year’s race has been phenomenal,” said Teasley, who increased the field from 20 to 25 teams to accommodate the registration demand. “The Wyoming race has developed a reputation in the mushing world because of our purse, the unique race route through Wyoming, and the dog-friendly format.” The IPSSSDR is a 500-mile stage race, similar to the Tour de France bike race. Teams race in stages but can rest each night, earning the nickname “the dog-friendly race.” In addition, the stages are run through Wyoming communities before finishing at Park City, Utah, providing easy access to spectators, media, and the teams’ handlers who wait for them at the end of each stage. The 2011 race is attracting additional interest because of the roundup of mushing superstars signed up for this year’s event. The reigning champions of distance mushing, Lance Mackey and Hans Gatt, are slated to compete. Mackey, who twice won the Yukon Quest and Iditarod in the same year, told the Alaska Daily News that he is done competing back-to-back in mushing’s premiere distance events and will race in Wyoming before returning to Alaska for Iditarod. Gatt, who previously won the IPSSSDR in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001, will be making his first return appearance to Wyoming since 2001. Gatt won the Yukon Quest four times and was 2010 Iditarod runner-up. Other champion mushers expected to compete in the 2011 IPSSSDR are Iditarod veteran Ryan Reddington and Fur Rondy Sprint Champion Blayne “Bud” Streeper. Streeper won the IPSSSDR in 2004 and 2010. The IPSSSDR, which was started by Teasley in 1996, is sponsored by Pedigree Food for Dogs. For more information, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org; contact the race via e-mail at bark@wyomingstagestop.org; or call 307-734-1163. For more Daily news click here and look under 'Breaking News'
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