SLED DOG LINKS:

A modern day film adaption of the famous "Call of the Wild" story by Jack London is taking place in Lincoln Montana. Though it's a low budget film - crews have already filmed the restart of the 2008 Race to the Sky Sled Dog Race for use in the production. The state of Montana and the local community are also backing the film. The actor Christopher Lloyd from the popular movie "Back to the Future," plays a grandfather in the film.

Read the full story via the Billings Gazette.

Park City, Utah—February 2, 2008—Melanie Shirilla of Lincoln, Mont., won the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with an overall time of 24:41:05. Shirilla gained the lead in Stage Five and maintained it throughout the final days of the race. Shirilla was the first woman to win the IPSSSDR in 2002 and won again in 2006 before winning today’s race to become a three-time winner.

Wendy Davis of Lander, Wyo., placed second in this year’s race with 25:03:25 and Jacques Philip of Nenana, Alaska, was third with 25:39:06.

Jackson, Wyoming—February 1, 2008-Due to extreme weather and the closure of 1-80 East of Evanston, the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) was moved from the North Slope Road south of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway to the Purple Sage Golf Course in Evanston.

"Because of the shortened stage, an average was taken of all the times and those are the times that are posted," said Race Marshal Mark Nordman.

Jackson, Wyoming—January 30, 2008—Melanie Shirilla of Lincoln, Mont., had the fastest time in Day Five of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), moving her into the overall lead.

Shirilla ran the 58 mile course in 4:42:48. Jacques Philip of Nenana, Alaska, was second with 4:56:49. In third for the day, Bruce Magnusson from Manchester, Mich., posted a time of 4:57:38.

Jackson, Wyoming—January 29, 2008—Wendy Davis of Lander, Wyo., posted the fastest time in day four of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) completing the 52-mile stage in 6:10:22. Melanie Shirilla of Lincoln, Mont., finished the day in second with a time of 6:11:11. Canadian musher Sam Perrino of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, was third with 6:17:40.

In overall times, Davis maintains her lead with 14:03:21; Shirilla is second with 14:22:08; and Jacques Philip of Nenana, Alaska, is third with 14:39:37.

Jackson, Wyoming - January 28, 2008 - The course from Cora to Pinedale, Wyo., in Day Three of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) was shortened from 33 to 18 miles due to extreme weather conditions, said Race Director Frank Teasley. Visibility along the route was restricted by winds measuring 60 mph, making the course dangerous. “It was like being in a wind tunnel. People were standing sideways. I had to make a decision in about three minutes,” Teasley said.

January 28, 2008—Wendy Davis from Lander, Wyoming had the fastest time in day three of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) completing the 18-mile stage in 1:42:53. Melanie Shirilla from Lincoln, Montana was second with a time of 1:45:24. Sam Perrino from Yellowknife Northwest Territories, Canada, was third with 1:49:12.

In overall times, Davis leads with 7:52:59; Shirilla is second with 8:10:57; and Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska is third with 8:16:16.

Jackson, Wyoming—January 27, 2008—Wendy Davis of Lander, Wyo., led day two of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with the fastest time of 6:10:06. Melanie Shirilla of Lincoln, Mont., was second with a time of 6:25:33. Jacques Philip from Nenana, Alaska was third with a time of 6:26:43.

IPSSSDR boasts eight days, 19 teams, 12 towns, two states and over 300 dogs

Jackson, Wyoming—January 25, 2008—Cold temperatures and snow flurries provided perfect conditions for the start of the 2008 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), announced Race Director Frank Teasley. Fur and flakes flew as 19 teams left Jackson's Town Square in a noisy exodus to begin eight days of racing across Wyoming toward the February 2 race finish in Park City, Utah.