On Saturday afternoon, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, officially kicked off the 28th edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles on the Promenade des Anglais. The participants are now heading to Erfoud (Morocco), where the prologue of the race will take place next Wednesday.
On your marks… Get set… Go! Behind the wheel of their 4x4s, quads, or crossovers, the 165 teams, consisting of 330 drivers aged 20 to 67, leave Nice, amidst honking horns, to embark on the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc.
Among the participants are the granddaughters of Princess Grace of Monaco, Pauline Ducruet and Jazmin Grimaldi, the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, Kiera Chaplin, as well as the Olympic alpine ski medalist at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Carole Montillet.
Each year, the number of teams evolves. In the first edition, in 1990, only eighteen brave souls, or nine duos, ventured into the adventure. This automotive event continues to increase its international reputation. In 2018, participants from sixteen nationalities were on the starting grid.
A unique concept
Nine days of competition, six off-road stages, including two marathons, and over 1,300 kilometers in the heart of the Sahara. This is the program for this 100% female rally.
It is not a speed competition but an old-school navigation challenge. Armed with a ruler, a compass, and a map of the Moroccan desert, the Gazelles must cover the least distance possible while hitting the maximum number of checkpoints.
As last year, a 100% electric category, called “e-Gazelle,” is participating in the event to promote one of the founding values of the race: environmental respect through eco-driving.
Solène FALAISE
