{"id":1189,"date":"2014-02-06T19:21:42","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T19:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1189"},"modified":"2014-06-21T17:02:08","modified_gmt":"2014-06-21T17:02:08","slug":"notes-from-the-road-mar-29","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1189","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Road – MAR 29"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NOTES FROM THE ROAD<\/h2>\n
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< more recent<\/a> | 29 MAR 2014 | older ><\/a> <\/p>\n

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ESSAOURIA: THE OFFICIAL END<\/h5>\n


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Team 171 USnomads on the beach at Essaouira for the ceremonial finish.<\/strong><\/h6>\n


29 MARCH 2014:<\/strong> The ceremonial finish of the 24th Rallye Aicha des Gazelles began at 8 o’clock this morning under heavy skies. A celebratory feeling filled the air as the teams set out to drive the final 3 kilometer stretch along the beach of this picturesque coastal town. Local residents joined the friends and families of teams, lining the waterfront to watch the procession and cheer the teams on. Photos, videos, dancing, hugs, jokes and bursts of laughter mingled with the honking of horns.

\nIn the distance, a promising ray of sunlight shone on the red flags marking the “finish” line. With the rising tide, the rally came to a close as the teams passed through the honour guard and on their way to the afternoon awards ceremony in the old town of Essaouira.

\nThe final ceremony was held in an immense marquee tent set up at the edge of the Essaouira Medina, where the Gazelles made their way along the red carpet, cheered and applauded by the blue and red vests who were there by their sides throughout the 9 days of competition. Rally founder, Dominique Serra was speaking to the crowd, “Let’s hear a round of applause for these men and women who have helped, supported and encouraged you throughout this Rallye!”

\nNow the Gazelles’ cheered for the staff who made it all possible. Then Serra began calling the teams to the stage to receive the iconic Gazelle trophy presented to everyone who completed the event. “Once a Gazelle, always a Gazelle!!” cried the announcer, an accolade symbolic of their victory over the desert.

\nFinally, the winners of each class are called up to receive their trophies to an accompaniment of thunderous applause. And with that the 2014 edition of the Rally Aicha des Gazelles was over. The teams could look forward to next year, but first there is the evening gala and the long journey back home…

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VIDEO: TO THE FINISH LINE<\/h5>\n


Gazelles TV reports on the official end of the rally on the beach at Essaouira. [Sorry for the obligatory advertisement at the start of this clip, it comes as part of the embedded resource, not our site.<\/em>]<\/p>\n