The adventure of my blog is always an opportunity for me to discover new things, have unique experiences, and enjoy magical encounters. It was in this spirit that I went to the beautiful city of Nice last weekend to attend the departure of the Rallye des Gazelles.

As a quick reminder, the Aïcha des Gazelles rally is a 100% female sports adventure created by Dominique Serra, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It takes place in Morocco, from March 24th to April 4th, 2015.

The very concept of this orienteering race is out of the ordinary: “to win it, you have to cover the fewest kilometers.” Indeed, the Gazelles must complete a course by reaching designated checkpoints, with a minimum number of kilometers rather than in a minimum amount of time.

In total, there are 158 crews with adventurers of all ages (18 for the youngest and 71 for the oldest, for whom this is her 18th participation) and from 13 different nationalities, who will set off by 4X4, motorcycle, quad, or crossover into the Moroccan desert, aided only by a compass, a ruler, and a map.

This year, after several consecutive departures from the Esplanade du Trocadéro in Paris, it was for the first time Mr. Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, who hosted the French departure of this rally (though this might be the case again next year for those who missed the event this year).

On the program for the Nice festivities:

• fireworks on the eve of the departure in honor of the Gazelles

• a departure village on the Promenade des Anglais to meet the crews, organizers, and partners

• photos with the 2015 Gazelles on the beach as a tribute to Camille Muffat (including an extremely funny moment of rising waters and soaked Gazelles)

• a giant zumba session with the crews, organizers, and the public

• a flashmob to “Uptown Funk,” with Jean-Marc Généreux and the Gazelles

• and then the official departure of the crews to Morocco

It is also important to highlight the eco-friendly commitment of this rally, which has even obtained certification according to an ISO standard and defends a comprehensive environmental approach.

Indeed, an incinerator truck follows the Gazelles, for instance, for waste recycling, and an environmental code of conduct charter is signed by all participants who must respect the concept of eco-driving. Penalties during the rally are even applied to crews that do not respect the charter.

Another very noble goal of this rally is the cleanup of the desert with the Cœurs de Gazelles association, which carries out awareness-raising actions for the population and helps with sustainable development.

For my part, I had the chance to meet several crews and talk to these women about their commitments and what motivated them to embark on such an epic journey, from the moment they decided to sign up, through the struggles of finding sponsors, to the final excitement just before the departure.

I will especially remember crew 213, the Gazelles Tchanquées, consisting of Alexandra Mongey and Marion Broustaut, two nurses who decided to live this adventure together even though they had only known each other for a few months, but who will certainly have a very intense experience in the days to come.

They allowed us to climb into their 4×4, take their seats, and see from the inside what a Gazelle car looks like.

Besides, tomorrow, March 26th, is the start of the first stage of the rally! So, if you want to follow the Gazelles’ adventures in real-time, you can go here and see the 7 routes, plus the dunes stage.

All that remains for me is to wish a very good rally to all these women whose determination and courage seemed to me to be an example to follow, and who knows, maybe one day I will head out into the desert with them to follow them in their adventures. Plus, a little funny anecdote: Gazelle is the nickname my mom has called me since I was very little… a sign?…

Also remaining in my memory will be the striking photo of this little girl, sitting on a car, certainly waiting for her mom’s departure for a powerful human experience, from which she will probably return transformed…

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan and Rallye des Gazelles
Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization required before any use