Sixteen sled dog teams are racing 350 miles this week across western Wyoming and neighboring states. After a rest day Monday, teams will resume racing Tuesday with a 50-mile leg from Lander.
The 19th annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race kicked off Friday with a ceremonial start in Jackson. This year's route will take teams through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Utah, making it the first sled dog race to span four states. Similar to the Tour de France, racers stop in a different town each night. The format gives the dogs a rest, and mushers a chance to share their sport with local communities.
Bruce Magnusson, of Michigan, is racing for a ninth straight year. He says that the Kemmerer stage, which will be Friday, is often the toughest.
“Last year, we had what we call a 60-mile-an-hour ground blizzard. We couldn't even see teams in front of us and the snow at places, in sections was three and four feet deep,” says Magnusson.
The race finishes Saturday in Evanston. Fans can follow the race online at wyomingstagestop.org.