Rallye Aicha des Gazelles Kicks Off in Tangier, Morocco
March 15, 2010 by
Fish
Filed under
Press Releases, Rally
TANGIER, Morocco (March 15, 2010) – Today, 110 teams hailing from 14 countries arrived in Morocco for the ultimate driving and navigation test. All vehicles cleared technical inspections on Saturday in Sete, France at the ceremonial start of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in front of thousands of cheering fans.
This year, the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles celebrates its twentieth anniversary and its successful and unique history. The rally is the only all-women’s off-road rally in the world and strictly forbids competitors from using GPS, support teams, cell phones and even modern maps. Keen navigation skill combined with strategic off-road driving is essential for the success of the Gazelles.
A wide range of competitors participate in the event – professional drivers to celebrities, professional athletes to courageous adventurers. Teams to keep an eye on during the rally are 2009 winners Corentine Quiniou and Florence Migraine Bourgnon, team #138, and the sole United States team, Emily Miller and Wendy Fisher, team #109.
Miller and Fisher are returning to Morocco after their debut year in 2009. Emily Miller, driver for the team, is an accomplished off-road racer coming off two notable wins in 2009. Team navigator, Wendy Fisher, is a two-time world extreme skiing champion and former Olympian. “We are excited to return to the Anniversary Edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles and proud to represent the United States in such a respected event,” noted Miller.
The course covers nine-days of competition throughout southern Morocco’s most beautiful and challenging terrain. The competitive legs begin Wednesday, March 17th with the Prologue event and finishes in Essaouira, Morocco on Saturday, March 27th.
To follow the rally via satellite tracking, log on to www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com.
ABOUT THE RALLYE AICHA DES GAZELLES:
The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles was founded in 1990 by Dominque Serra and is managed by Maienga Communications, France. The event, held annually in Morocco, is the only all-women’s rally raid in the world. The grueling nine-day competition is based on finding the shortest distance between checkpoints with no GPS, communications or outside assistance. The rally is also known for extensive humanitarian and environmental efforts and initiatives. To learn more, log on to www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com.
