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 | Aicha des Gazelles: Gazelles prepare for two days in the Morocco Desert.
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The dunes of Merzouga are not just any dunes. They are the largest sand mountains in Morocco. Teams had three options yesterday when choosing their route: "X" checkpoints - Most difficult, no penalty points, "X-bis" checkpoints - Intermediate, penalty points per checkpoint and "Normal" checkpoints - Easy, penalty points per checkpoint.
Team 109 hit every "X" checkpoint and was back to the bivouac before most of the media vehicles were. "The dunes are why I compete in this event," Emily Miller comments. "It pushes you to your ultimate limit and your vehicles as well."
Most first year teams choose to stay out of the dunes for safety purposes but Team Lerner Reina came to compete. Hitting two of the five "X" checkpoints Team 107 ranks in 31st place overall. An incredible accomplishment for the novice team.
Sharing and solidarity are two very real values shared by the Gazelles. The rally puts its strength and its image to the service of Moroccan locals through the Heart of Gazelles, a registered non-profit organization in existence since 2001.
Staff and media joined the founders of the rally to visit two local schools the Heart of Gazelles built. The day was very special for everyone in attendance, children now have a place to build knowledge and self-esteem.
2011/03/28 | 23:42 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/VAN HOESEN
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