Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles

Coming out ahead in today's leg required good strategy with maps and compass. This was no problem for Team 124 in the 4x4 class, who proved their determination by once again winning the day's leg, followed closely by 129 and 109. Not much distance separated these top three teams of international origin.

The Dacia Duster team, who competed last year in the Crossover class, finished nicely in 4th place, while Team 133 dropped to a 9th place finish.

Note the performance of Team 140 (1st participation), who were congratulated at the finish line by Dominique Serra: they pulled themselves up to 10th place with a race strategy worthy of the best.

None of the teams got back in time to hear André Manoukian playing the piano this afternoon in the middle of the bivouac. But quite a few are back now to look after their vehicles and get some rest before tomorrow's much-awaited leg in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with their peaks of sand up to 150 metres high. But before getting there, there is today's leg to finish - and today's leg looks like it will be a long one for Team 153 (Loeticia MPASSI-MOUBA and Edna PANNETIER DIAMPAKA - TOTAL E&P CONGO), who need to replace the bolts on one of their wheels before going on. Problem: if the Rallye mechanics bring them parts from the bivouac, they will be "unranked" as specified in the Sporting Regulations. The vehicles still out on the terrain are concentrating on locating the pass that they must take just after CP6.

While a dozen teams decided to return to the bivouac after CP4, the leaders continue their progress towards the last checkpoints. Some have even reached CP7, such as Team 319 (Andrea SPIELVOGEL and Anneke VOSS - DAIMLER), in first place in the general ranking (Crossover), and the leader in today's leg. Team 124 (Syndiely WADE and Carole MONTILLET-CARLES - AXECIBLES) has managed the leg well, and is now at CP6, as is Team 22 (Betty KRAFT and Caroline COUET-LANNES - CONSEIL GENERAL 64). Further back, most of the teams are continuing to advance between CP5 and CP6 and will soon reach the pass to the lower plateau where the much-appreciated bivouac awaits.

Teams 153, 111, 187, 128, 185 and 181 will spend the night away from the comfort of the bivouac.

Team 182, who should make it back tonight, almost reached the Algerian border before realising their error and turning back.

To the Gazelles: we wish you a good night, and don't forget to set your alarm clocks: tomorrow the Merzouga dunes await you!

Stuck in a sandy zone, Team 131 (Martine JUSTIN and Chantal GREZZINI - CAISSE RÉGIONALE DES NOTAIRES DE LA COUR D'APPEL DE LYON) sent out a call for  technical assistance. In the meantime, the famous Pinzgauer and its 6 wheels passed by and towed them out. A stroke of good luck for Team 131 who saved 200 penalty points.
At the Race PC, it can be seen that navigation is improving, not only because the new Gazelles are perfectioning their technique but also because visibility is good today. Teams 140 (Sophie HEWERTSON and Julie KOHLMANN - JET SOLUTIONS TRAVEL) and 175 (Delphine MASSON and Raissa BECKER - SABINE PETERS) are already heading for their 7th CP, while most of the pack is  somewhere between CP4 and CP5, which means that, given the lateness of the hour, few teams will have time to reach CP7, and many will choose to head straight to the bivouac after CP6.

While the first teams have begun to reach CP4, most of the teams are between  CP2 and CP3, where the only visible feature within some thirty kilometres is the mountain Rhârouchâne. The teams are driving with their windows wide open; the heat beating down today on the Moroccan desert is stifling.

Despite the early hour, many will have recognised Malika Ménard this morning at the start line. Miss France 2010 is here to give the start for the third leg and to encourage the 2011 Gazelles. The Rallye has become something of a rite of passage for the winners of the Miss France competition - many of them have taken part over the years. In fact, Cindy Fabre and Valérie Bègue, Miss France 2005 and 2008 respectively, make up Team 149 - ISUZU / TV MAG / ASSOCIATION ELA and are doing well, finishing today's leg with just 80.66 points (7th place in the temporary ranking). And it is Team 149 that Malika is following with TV Mag, where she works while pursuing her journalism studies. Of course we couldn't resist asking her if she too would one day become a Gazelle: "I don't know if I would be able to do what they are doing... but never say never!"

Quite a few teams will be spending the night away from the bivouac! Teams 141 and 182 are near the town of Orion, Team 156 is in Dar Kaoua, Teams 311 and 313 are near the village of Jorf, 162 and 196 are southwest of the Aoufouss dunes, and last but not least, Teams 310 and 312 are near the bivouac, in a stretch of small dunes. The wind has died down and conditions are favourable for spending a pleasant (and quiet) night and then starting off on the right foot tomorrow at dawn.