LEG #1

NEJJAKH-NEJJAKH

Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles 2018 : Première étape

2018-03-24T18:39:19+01:00

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Étape 6
21h30

Party time!

The last three teams to reach the bivouac are on the finish line: 144 (Laurene VOILLEQUIN / Laure AVELINE - Adhome Services), 143 (Leila MASSON / Monica OBERLE - Programme Alimentaire Mondial) and 166 (Stephanie PIERI-CHESNAIS / Isabelle AVIS - TRANSAVIA). They still need to hand in their road sheet and tracking devices... But a glass of Tsarine champagne is waiting for them!

Étape 6
18h40

35 teams on their way

The stretch from the dunes to the bivouac offers easy navigation and driving. There are even several trails leading to the bivouac.

Étape 6
17h30

Strange, really strange…

That’s how Team 178 (Marie GUARINO / Giliane STORRER - MERSE-TRANSAC) described their feelings at the finish line, in front of the Ranking office. "We’re happy it’s over but it’s really strange to say that this is the last time we’ll be handing in our road sheet. We’re proud to have found every checkpoint of the Rallye. At first we didn’t think we could do it, but we got into it because we’re pretty competitive."

Étape 6
17h20

Tight battle for the podium

We're starting to have a good idea of who will be on the podium but aren't saying anything... we'll let you make your own predictions!

Étape 6
17h10

Serenaded by gnaoua music

...and honking horns: it feels like the end of the Rallye! Many teams have crossed the finish line before a crowd of photographers and cameramen. Tears, laughter, emotions, arms waving triumphantly... they are all proud of what they have accomplished. Just making it to the finish line is a exploit in itself.

Étape 6
16h50

The Zoé, all the way

The team reached CP6 yesterday to recharge their batteries and then went back to check off CP5. Encountering some difficulty reaching CP6, they ended up shovelling in the dark. Today they proudly cross the final finish line and we say Bravo for their excellent performance!

Étape 6
16h00

154 and111, a rally that gives you wings

"We still have some physical strength in reserve, but we’re losing it here at the finish line. We were so focused, plus the highs and lows with every success or failure... It’s possible to recuperate physically, but not emotionally. There’s an internal pressure, or rhythm, you just can’t escape. "

This feeling is shared by Team 111 (Catherine OSTERMANN / Sylvie ESPINASSON - Carbel Hydrocurage - Gravier TP): we had never tried navigation or off-road driving before. It was intense, very hard, we never thought it would be so hard. We’re so proud to have made it to the end; we really pushed our limits. We made the most of everything, and we made a super team. I’m sure that will increase our confidence in the future: if you’ve done this rally, you can do absolutely any adventure.”

Étape 6
15h40

First team to arrive with all checkpoints is…

Team [215]. Several other teams have already reached the bivouac, but not with the full complement of CPs. Bravo to this First Participation team!

Étape 6
15h30

Update back of the pack

The back of the pack is still around CP7X such as 241 (Juliette GERPHAGNON / Marjorine REYDELLET - SMEF AZUR) who are taking their time. Just ahead of them under the hot midday sun, teams 193 (Marie Guillet Wohnlich / Amanda IRELAND - Mécène privé), 245 (Myriam FILALI-MAIN / KARIMA LAAROUSSI - MOUHYI - SIKA), 102 (Elodie SERVIN / Claudia MARTIN), 129 (Sara BENAZOUZ / Sara EL AZZAOUI - Al Ajial Holding) and 187 (Jennifer KALKA / Jessica AUBERT - VULPES ZERDA) approach CP8X. The sand is as soft as flour but they are managing to advance in spite of everything. Team 243 (Schanel Bakkouche / Pauline DUCRUET) are in the same zone and appear to have driven a near-perfect route (apart from a shaky arrival at CP4 yesterday), walking the line between safety with risk taking.

Étape 6
16h50

Most teams will try to reach CP 5

Teams 190 (Virginie GABRIEL / Anne-Sophie ANDREAS - STDT ; FFdem), 232 (Adeline BOURNISIEN / Anna LE REST - VINCI Facilities) and 111 (Catherine OSTERMANN / Sylvie ESPINASSON - Carbel Hydrocurage - Gravier TP) are heading for CP 4.

Étape 6
16h10

Deflated!

At checkpoint 4ABC, the Gazelles who didn't opt for Route X through the heart of the dunes still have to deal with sand. They will have to drive north-west across the edge of Chegaga to reach their CP 5. But first, they air down their tires to avoid getting stuck. Teams 112 (Laura GADI / Ida LONCAR) and 190 (Virginie GABRIEL / Anne-Sophie ANDREAS - STDT ; FFdem) chose this route and hope to reach 5 before nightfall.

Étape 6
13h40

Immobilized

4x4 Class leaders Team 107 (Stéphanie PERUSSE / Anne-Marie BORG - Bleu Blanc Rouge communication), whose rear axle broke this morning, are still immobilized. The mechanic is attempting to allow them to continue in two-wheel drive, but time is ticking. It’s going to be hard to hit all the day’s checkpoints.

Étape 6
12h40

When the shocks pack it in

Then you have an upset Team 162 (Nathalie Chassot / Marie-Pascale Quirin - Formule 4 Garage Team). Though it is normal for the end of the Rallye: the shocks have been sorely solicited over all types of terrain. The team collects 200 penalty points. Today’s tally: 6 mechanical interventions. And the day is not over yet…

Étape 6
12h00

… and more assistance!

This time, for Team 177 (Valérie KELLER / Virginie SIRAUD - AC-Environnement Diagnostic Immobilier) for a relay problem, a problem they also had 2 days ago. It shouldn’t take them long to get going, but 200 points heavier. The law of the jungle...

Étape 6
11h20

Leaders in trouble

Team 312 (Laetitia GIRAUD / Sarah SOURBIER - FRUIT4FIT), running in the lead of SUV Class, have called for mechanical assistance to change their right shock absorber. The little Zoé will be happy!

Étape 6
10h50

Disappointed but determined to continue

The mechanical assistance team is working on the rear axle of Team 107 (Stéphanie PERUSSE / Anne-Marie BORG - Bleu Blanc Rouge communication) which would allow them to continue in 2-wheel drive. “We can do the Chegaga dunes, no need to be in 4WD. But there’s nothing we can do to make up the 200-point penalty. But we want to finish the leg.”

Étape 6
10h40

Axle trouble!

Team 107 (Stéphanie PERUSSE / Anne-Marie BORG - Bleu Blanc Rouge communication) are unable to continue in 2-wheel drive. They have a problem with their axle transmission.

Étape 6
10h30

310 back to the fold

This marathon morning seems to be serving to screen the teams: Team 310 (Sandrine MARTIAL / Isabelle FAUST - Les tourtons du Champsaur et Classic All Blacks) has also called for mechanical assistance. This will cost them the same as Team 107 (Stéphanie PERUSSE / Anne-Marie BORG - Bleu Blanc Rouge communication), but the stakes are much lower: 107 were at the top of the 4x4 general ranking, while 310 were at the bottom in SUV.

Étape 6
10h20

Finished for 500 and 501

They failed to reach their first checkpoint before it closed at 10 o'clock. Unable to continue, they will be accompanied to the next bivouac by the assistance team.

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PARTNERS

Étape 6

21h30

Party time!

Étape 6

18h40

35 teams on their way

Étape 6

17h30

Strange, really strange…

Étape 6

17h20

Tight battle for the podium

Étape 6

17h10

Serenaded by gnaoua music

Étape 6

16h50

The Zoé, all the way

Étape 6

16h00

154 and111, a rally that gives you wings

Étape 6

15h40

First team to arrive with all checkpoints is…

Étape 6

15h30

Update back of the pack

Étape 6

16h50

Most teams will try to reach CP 5

Étape 6

16h10

Deflated!

Étape 6

13h40

Immobilized

Étape 6

12h40

When the shocks pack it in

Étape 6

12h00

… and more assistance!

Étape 6

11h20

Leaders in trouble

Étape 6

10h50

Disappointed but determined to continue

Étape 6

10h40

Axle trouble!

Étape 6

10h30

310 back to the fold

Étape 6

10h20

Finished for 500 and 501