A sunny start in Nice

For the fifth consecutive year, the City of Nice played host to the start village of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc. Martine Martinon, municipal counsellor for the City of Nice, representing the mayor, Christian Estrosi, signalled the official start of this 29th edition in the presence of Dominique Serra, founder and director of the event.

A chorus of horns sounded on the prestigious Promenade des Anglais as spectators crowded around the archway, in the colours of the City of Nice. The 131 teams crossed the official start line of the 29th edition under a blazing Mediterranean sun after a countdown by Dominique Serra. Martine Martinon waved a Nice flag to signal the start. “It is a real pleasure to be here as a woman. I admire them all, and perhaps one day I will try to do what they are doing. For me, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is really an opportunity to show the world that women are not confined to traditional female sports. I wish them good luck, and see you next year for the 30th edition!”

It was the big moment the participants had been waiting for; some had tears in their eyes. Cheers, applause and shouts of encouragement rose from the crowd that turned out to witness this exciting moment and to celebrate the women who have chose to face this crazy challenge in the desert. The Gazelles have a 290-kilometre drive to Sète, where they will sail for Morocco at 11 p.m. tonight.