Big Piney/Marbleton Stage Two and Three of Sled Dog Race
Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
February 4, 2025
A major winter storm forced the cancellation of Sunday’s stage of the Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race due to heavy snowfall and sustained winds exceeding 30 mph. Competitors reconvened at the Middle Piney Trailhead Monday morning. A two-hour delay was implemented to allow heavy equipment to clear the road to the remote trailhead and enable Wyoming State Trails grooming crews to reset the 31-mile out-and-back course. Five-time champion Anny Malo once again posted the fastest time, further extending her overall lead. Stage Stop rookie Stéphane Roy from New Brunswick, Canada, finished second, followed by Bruce Magnusson of Michigan. Alix Crittenden from Bondurant, Wyoming placed 4th and Cathy Rivest finishing fifth to round out the top. Anny Malo remains in first place overall and will once again wear the yellow bib in tomorrow’s stage 3.
Race organizers announced that the stage canceled on Sunday will be made up by running the Lander-based trail out of Sinks Canyon — located in the eastern end of the Wind River Mountain Range — a second time on Thursday, February 6. This additional stage, originally designated as a travel day from Kemmerer, will maintain the overall race mileage at 215 miles and allow competitors to vie for the $4,167 in day money awarded to the top 10 finishers for each stage.
On Wednesday, February 5, Stage Four of the race will be out of Kemmerer. Teams will then move to Lander for Stages Five and Six, and finally, conclude with Stage Seven in Dubois—set against the stunning backdrop of the Gros Ventre and Absaroka Mountains bordering Yellowstone and the Teton Range.
The Pedigree Stage Stop Race draws top mushers and dog teams from across North America and Europe. This year's competitors are:
1. Michael Tetzner – Burg, Germany
2. Austin Forney – Leadville, Colorado
3. Chris Adkins – Canyon Creek, Montana
4. Michael Bestgen – St Cloud, Minnesota
5. Liam Conner – Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
6. Sarah Tarlton – Mountain, Wisconsin
7. Tim Thiessen – Leadville, Colorado
8. Al Borak – Newberry Michigan
9. Cathy Rivest – St-Paul-de-Joilette Quebec, Canada
10. Anny Malo – Saint Zenon Quebec, Canada
11. Alix Crittenden – Bondurant, Wyoming
12. Bruce Magnusson – Newberry, Michigan
13. JR Anderson – Buyck, Minnesota
14. Leonie Tetzner- Burg, Germany (rookie)
15. Dave Hochman -Carlowrie, Manitoba, Canada
16. Sean Hildreth – Bend, Oregon
17. Stéphane Roy - Noveau Brunswick, Canada
Each of the seven timed race stages are hosted by western Wyoming communities and take place on US Forest Service trails. Spectators and media are welcome to attend.
The total overall purse for the 2025 Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race is $200,000 USD, making it one of the largest payouts in sled dog racing. Follow the race and find results and pictures at the following links:
Website: www.wyomingstagestop.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PedigreeStageStopRace
Email: info@wyomingstagestop.org
lnstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedigreestagestoprace
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pedigreestagestoprace9249
|
