UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS MAJESTY KING MOHAMMED VI
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THE ORIGINAL
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS MAJESTY KING MOHAMMED VI
08 Étape 42019-03-15T12:18:59+01:00

LEG 4

NEJJACK – MECH IRDANE

LEG 4

NEJJACK – MECH IRDANE

Leg 4 cancelled because of bad weather.

After heavy rains during the night, driving conditions for Leg 4 are not sufficiently practicable to ensure the safety of the Gazelle teams. Rallye management has decided to cancel the leg.
The weather conditions are expected to improve throughout the day and the Gazelles will resume their adventure with Leg 5.

CHECKPOINTS 7

IDEAL KM 110km

ESTIMATED TIME 8h

TERRAIN 2 oueds to cross, rugged terrain, rocky valleys

Direction: the Mech Irdane bivouac.
One might be tempted to believe that the shorter distance of this leg would make it easier, but that is not the case!

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As the more experienced Gazelles are all aware, the real challenges in this area are called OUED ZIZ and OUED RHERIS. While the first is relatively open, the second is rather stingy when it comes to access. In fact, with its metres-high cliff banks, Oued Rhéris is often considered impossible to cross. And when an opening does appear along the banks of the oued, the frequently muddy river bottom tends to put the brakes on enthusiasm… and on the vehicle as well! Important to make the right choice of where to cross.

Once in the oued, one might expect things to get better… But no, the teams must find a way back out of the oued and then navigate through a section of steep cliffs and valleys closed off by bigger and bigger rocks. One mistake could mean turning around and retracing their steps.

Clearly, nothing is ever easy at the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc.

And tomorrow, the westward migration continues!

CHECKPOINTS 7

IDEAL KM 110km

ESTIMATED TIME 8h

TERRAIN 2 oueds to cross, rugged terrain, rocky valleys

Pressure is off
10h30

Team 230 (Delphine ZEDET / Marion DELON - NIMAZUR) is also emotional. "It was physically and emotionally difficult. We were worried until 7 p.m. It was a good decision to sleep there. We slept longer, from 10 to 6, and better. And now we can take a good shower."

Emotions cooling down
10h30

Team 215 (Céline RICHARD / Océane RUELLE - Soignon) can't help shedding a few tears on reaching the bivouac. "Our emotions are cooling down. Luckily we were 7 teams. The sand was so soft at the end of the day, the truck just couldn't get through. We ended up deciding to camp there. We put up our tents and spent a lovely evening together. We discussed our Rallye experience, our lives. It was great!"

So how was your night in the dunes?
10h30

Team 185 (Lauranne TORNAMBE / Estelle FERRARA - HC Résidences) enjoyed a good night's sleep at the foot of the dunes. "It took us 5 hours to get from CP2 to CP3. It was like a highway. There were teams stuck everywhere. We wanted to come back, but now we're happy that we spent the evening together, it was a very intense experience..."

The 11 teams are back at the bivouac
10h20

The Gazelles who spent last night at at the base of the dunes are back at the bivouac. They were met by a cheerful welcome committee of other Gazelles and organizers.

Leg 4 cancelled because of bad weather
08h00

To avoid all chance of risk, the Rallye management preferred to cancel Leg 4, scheduled for today.

Mud, mud everywhere…
07h10

After a night of rain, the bivouac has become a field of mud. At 6 a.m., Dominique Serra, director and founder of the rally, and Ludovic Taché, sport director, announce that today's leg is cancelled. There will be another briefing at 8 a.m.
REPORT

Leg 4 cancelled because of bad weather

PARTNERS

#FreeNasrin

Dominique Serra has dedicated this 29th edition to Nasrin Sotoudeh – prominent Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate – who has been sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes for “inciting corruption and prostitution” by defending women who took off their headscarves in public.

I encourage everyone to sign the petition for her release.