Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles

We have reached that legendary day of the race: the dunes of Merzouga. Whether yearned for or feared, this moment is a unique experience for every Gazelle. The girls have three routes to choose from, according to their experience and their vehicle's capacity. One circuit leads around the dunes for the crossovers and those teams that do not feel up to tackling the sand. There are two possible routes through the erg: the "X" route, the more difficult, that will take the Gazelles over the highest peaks of Merzouga, and a medium route, the "X bis" route, more accessible. Some fifteen vehicles choose the easy route; the rest head into the dunes. The conditions are ideal: after yesterday's rain, the sand is firmer and the driving easier. The first teams cross crest after crest, reaching CP5X at 10:30. Then the group spreads out. As the sun approaches its zenith the sand loosens up, the mercury rises and the dunes are transformed into a hot hell. Dream or a nightmare, this leg is certainly unforgettable.


DS MAGAZINE / TOYOTA / ASSOCIATION LES ENFANTS D'ARLEQUIN 138
Florence MIGRAINE BOURGNON and Corentine QUINIOU in a TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
Still second in the general ranking, less than one kilometre behind the leaders Carole Montillet and Julie Verdaguer (racing in a buggy), the winners of the 2006 and 2007 editions are struggling to catch up to their competitors, metre by metre. It will not be an easy battle.

ELLE MAGAZINE / TOYOTA / ASSOCIATION FORCEFEMMES.COM 139
Aude BARREAU AIRIEV and Nathalie PELLERIN in a TOYOTA HILUX
At the wheel of a car in terrible shape, the Gazelles do not dare to tackle the dunes (they are reduced to 2WD). They do have a glimmer of hope: a spare part should arrive from Casablanca the day after tomorrow.

EUROSPORT / NISSAN / ASSOCIATION IKDC 185
Clémence and Olivia JOYEUX in a NISSAN PATROL
Despite a small steering fluid leak, the Gazelles reach CP5X long before noon. Explosion of joy and photos at the checkpoint before pursuing their route.

FEMME ACTUELLE / TOYOTA / ASSOCIATION LES JARDINS DE LA MONTAGNE VERTE 191
Nathalie VINCENT and Anne-Gaëlle RICCIO in a TOYOTA HILUX
For the third consecutive night the girls sleep in the desert, this time in Merzouga. Tomorrow they will tackle the marathon leg and yet another night "in he wild".

TV MAGAZINE/ ISUZU / ASSOCIATION ELA 192
Valérie BEGUE Miss France and Alexandra ROSENFELD Miss France / Miss Europe in an ISUZU D-MAX
The life of a "Miss" is no piece of cake! Even in the middle of the dunes, they have to look good and pose for the photographers and cameramen who follow them all the way to CP5X! The "Misses" drive with some Total teams and leave the dunes at the end of the afternoon, headed for the bivouac and a shower.

CITADINE / ISUZU /ASSOCIATION AFAK 194
Silvina PINEIRO ARAMBURU and Stéphanie FENESTRAZ in an ISUZU D-MAX
"We went into the dunes alone, then we found other Gazelles and continued with them on the X route. We had never done dunes and we didn't get stuck once in Merzouga: a miracle! We only used our shovels to help other Gazelles." They are 25th in the general ranking and 3rd in the CMR Challenge going into the first marathon leg.