Motorsport: Adventurous Siffert daughter
It is just as unique as the Dakar Rally: the Aïcha des Gazelles Rally. This cross-country rally is only open to women's teams with four-wheel drive vehicles or quads, and instead of the men in Chile, the adventurous women make their way through the sometimes rocky, sometimes sandy terrain in Morocco. In 2016, the desert trip will be held for the 26th time [...]
In 2016, the desert trip will be held for the 26th time, and it is the only rally of its kind that has been ISO-certified (14001) since 2010. The aim of this competition is not to reach the finish line as quickly as possible after the start of a stage, but as directly as possible. The winners of a stage and in the overall classification are the gazelles who drive to all checkpoints correctly and cover the fewest kilometers in the process.
Among the 165 teams, each of which has to pay between 13,400 and 14,900 euros (which includes everything apart from the vehicle), there are five Swiss teams, all from French-speaking Switzerland. The most famous name is Véronique de Sybourg-Siffert. With Emilie Kühni (41) as her partner, the 46-year-old daughter of the unforgotten Jo Siffert is tackling this rally for the third time in a Toyota FJ Cruiser. Their commitment is supported by TAG Heuer, whose former patron Jack Heuer (84-year-old great-grandson of the company founder) is advising the two desert vixens.
Nine stages across Morocco
"Emilie has also been with us before, but we're driving together for the first time. We fit together well and will also take turns at the wheel. Of course we want to do as well as possible, but for us it's all about adventure and driving fun in a breathtaking landscape. We can hardly wait," says a delighted Véronique. By the way, she is a nail beautician by profession and Emilie is a dental hygienist. The rally begins on March 18 with the administrative and technical checks in Nice, where the starting ceremony will take place the following day. The actual competition runs from March 23 to 31 over nine stages in Morocco, where the event ends on April 2 with the gala award ceremony in Essaouira.
www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com
Photo: Peter Wyss
