SUBLETTE COUNTY, WYO –
UPDATED (January 30, 4:38pm): Stage Stop organizers announced today tentative plans to use a scheduled day off on Thursday, February 1 as a chance to run the Big Piney/Marbleton leg that was cancelled yesterday. Mushers will run the Lander stage as scheduled tomorrow. They will then return to Pinedale for the evening and run the same leg as they did today beginning at 9am Thursday from the snowmobile parking lot in the Upper Green.
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Warming temperatures took a toll on the Pedigree Stage Stop Race yesterday as the leg to Big Piney/Marbleton was scrubbed by order of race director Dan Carter. Deteriorating trail conditions made the race unsafe, if not impossible.
Mushers left this morning for Pinedale.
Jerry Bath’s take:
Will Lina rebound? Will others make their move? Could we see a complete out of nowhere stage winner? I feel it’s about time to put your best move out there. This stage can be a good place to get ahead or fold. It all depends on the weather and trail conditions. Most teams should have plenty in the tank. I know of very few dogs that are out but not for more than a couple days.
The trail starts out flat to rolling for about 10 miles then has three sets of climbs that are a real workout. Along with 10 miles of rolling but at high altitude where the wind or sun can slow a team down. Then winding down to the sage flats and by this time the wind usually picks up often making the trail hard to find. This is a truly challenging course that can make or break your run!
Race leader Lina Streeper takes time out to share strategy and dog love.
