fbpx

Darby Musher Jessica Royer Wins Race to the Sky

Despite warm weather and icy trails, 300-mile sled dog race in Seeley Lake a success

By Tristan Scott

SEELEY LAKE — Jessica Royer of Darby won the 300-mile Race to the Sky sled dog race, overcoming the warm weather and icy trails that led seven of the 11 teams to scratch.

Royer crossed the finish line in Seeley Lake at 9:45 p.m. Monday, about 25 minutes ahead of 17-year-old Aiyana Ferraro of Victor. Ferraro trains with Royer in the southern Bitterroot Valley.

Ferraro is a few months younger than Royer was when she became the youngest 500-mile Race to the Sky winner in 1994.

Brett Bruggeman of Great Falls finished third, shortly before 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Bryce Mumford of Preston, Idaho, was the only musher still on the course Tuesday morning.