Prologue2021-09-07T11:25:43+02:00

PROLOGUE

DAR KAOUA – DAR KAOUA

2021 ROUTE

After almost 2 years of waiting, it’s finally time to explore the desert ! 🧐

The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc 2021 30^ème edition consists of a prologue and 6 legs including two marathon legs (2 days with no bivouac and a night of camping under the stars) across the stunning landscapes of southern Morocco.

The Gazelles begin in ERFOUD (province of ERRACHIDIA), in the south of Morocco, and finish nine days of competition later in FOUM-ZGUID (province of TATA).

This year, almost 190 teams are taking part in the adventure on 10 different routes for a navigation challenge covering more than 1,100 km as the crow flies, or at least 1,400 km of driving for the top teams.

The teams will be split across 6 routes for 4×4/Auto teams, 1 for Quad/SSV teams and 2 for 100% electric vehicles (cars and buggies).

PROLOGUE

IDEAL DISTANCE 42km

ESTIMATED TIME 3h00

It’s time…
Today’s prologue provides a taste of the days to come.

Headings that are easy to keep. Terrain that is not too challenging and is relatively straightforward to read on the map. Small zones of sand that can be easily crossed or avoided.
Nothing too difficult, but it is all useful as the Gazelles familiarize themselves with their maps, navigation techniques and driving.

The bivouac is never far away, even when it’s hidden behind hills of sand covered with tufts of camel grass (by the way, shouldn’t that be “dromedary grass” in Morocco? 🤔) or features carved by the ever-present oueds or wadis….

The results of the prologue count only for determining the starting order for tomorrow’s leg.

GAZELLES TV

Prologue

PHOTOS

Best photos of the prologue

LEG SUMMARY

The prologue: a warmup for the first leg

REPORT

The prologue: a leg for “learning”

MAP
TRACKING

WRITE TO YOUR GAZELLES

LIVE NEWS

Leg 6
14h30

Crossing the finish line!

More and more teams are crossing the finish line! Tired but euphoric, the Gazelles will finally get to relax and enjoy one last night at the bivouac.

Leg 6
14h00

Status report

The majority of 4×4 teams are between CP6 and CP7 on Routes A, B, C, D, E. On Route F, a dozen teams are between CP6X and CP7X.

Most Quad/SSV teams (Route V) are between CP8 and CP9.

The Crossovers have split into 2 groups. The 1st is between CP8 and CP9, while the rest are between CP6 and CP7.

The E-Gazelle Auto Vinci Immobilier teams are heading for the bivouac, while the E-Gazelle Buggy/Prototype Vinci Immobilier teams have only one checkpoint to go.

Leg 6
13h20

Setting a course for the bivouac!

Teams 42 and 101 are on their way to the bivouac.

Leg 6
11h40

CP 8, Route E

A few teams are ahead of the pack on Route E and have just made CP 8

Leg 6
10h30

Next!

More than thirty teams have checked off CP 6X

Leg 6
08h30

CP 5X: Check!

Some thirty teams have made CP 5X

Leg 6
08h00

Information bulletin!

Due to extreme heat conditions forecast this afternoon, the competition management has decided to cancel the following CPs:

Routes A, B, C, D, E and F (4×4 Class): The last 2 CPs are cancelled
Route S (Quad/SSV Class): The last CP is cancelled

Leg 6
07h00

The home stretch!

After a night under the stars, the Gazelles are back in action, setting their sights for the next checkpoint.

Leg 6
19h30

As the sun goes down over the desert

The Gazelles prepare their impromptu bivouacs between CP4 and 5, ready to spend another evening out under the stars. We wish them a pleasant and restful night before the final stretch tomorrow.

Leg 6
19h00

Team 133 at a standstill

Team 133 is having mechanical issues.

Leg 6
18h30

CP4 in sight

Some twenty teams have reached CP4

Leg 6
13h40

And it keeps happening…

More and more teams have been getting stuck since 1 p.m. but solidarity is still the order of the day.

Leg 6
12h40

4x4s stuck in the sand

Teams 216 and 267 got stuck in the sand but Team 147 came to their rescue. Lovely to see such solidarity between teams!

Leg 6
08h40

Some teams already at CP1

12 teams have reached the first CP on Route F

Leg 6
07h30

The final leg is underway!

The Gazelles have started their last marathon leg!

Leg 5
20h10

8 PM update

At 8 PM, only 4 teams have not yet reached the bivouac.

The furthest, 231, has been joined by an assistance team who are following them as they make their way back.

The Gazelles of Team 109 headed east-northeast instead of east-southeast after CP7. Team 263 is approaching the bivouac, followed by an assistance team.

As for Team 218, they have stopped in Mhamid. Team 231 should cross paths with them around 8:30.

No teams are expected to spend the night outside the bivouac

Leg 5
19h10

7 PM update

A large number of teams did not find CP6 or reached it too late (after 6:00) and are heading back to the bivouac by trail.

Some teams, such as 218, who gave a great performance in the oued, must be very disappointed.

Team 223 passed CP5 at 3:30, successfully crossed the oued, but never found CP6. On the other hand, some teams found the CP6 of every route.

Other teams made it all the way to CP7 and are also heading back via the trail.

An assistance vehicle will stay out on the course this evening to keep an eye on Team 231, who are expected back very late.

Leg 5
17h20

Tight competition between the leaders

Quad Class leaders Betty and Sonia, Team 39, are following near-perfect headings.

In 4X4 Class, top teams 267 (Jeanette and Rachelle) and 216 (Tania and Régine) are neck and neck with outstanding performances, despite a wrong heading by Team 267 at CP 7.

Leg 5
17h10

Hello? Come in, radio team…

Meanwhile, after a 4-hour drive from the bivouac, the radio team has finished installing a radio relay for the marathon on a high point near an area known locally as “the Sacred Oasis.

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PROLOGUE

DAR KAOUA – DAR KAOUA

2021 ROUTE

PROLOGUE

IDEAL DISTANCE 42km

ESTIMATED TIME 3h00

PARTNERS