The 34th edition of the prestigious women-only Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles officially departed from Monaco on Saturday, with Prince Albert II giving the ceremonial starting signal to competitors embarking on their challenging journey to Morocco. The event at Espace Fontvieille attracted crowds of supporters and motorsport enthusiasts who gathered to wish the adventurous participants well on their epic desert challenge.
The Village Depart at Espace Fontvielle buzzed with excitement from 9am as visitors rushed to meet the competing teams, admire their rally vehicles and take souvenir photos with them before their Moroccan adventure.
Inside the pavilion, partners of the event showcased their offerings with displays ranging from Volvo Cars/Trucks, to Ferrero, Cawe, and Bosch Car Service. The highlight amongst the exhibition stands was Lego Masters finalist Eliès’s remarkable creation—a perfect replica of a Gazelle 4×4 that left spectators awestruck, with crowds gathering throughout the day to admire the masterpiece.
The entertainment program kept energy levels high throughout the morning. Artist LNA took to the stage at 10:30am with an uplifting performance that had the Gazelles dancing and cheering along to every song. This was followed by a special concert featuring Chérie FM artists at 11:30am.
The entertainment’s peak came at noon when Jean Marc Généreux led both competitors and spectators in a step-by-step choreography to Lady Gaga’s hit Abracadabra.
Prince Albert II arrived shortly after the performances concluded, taking time to visit each stand personally. He chatted with exhibitors, sampled Cawe’s exquisite champagne, and paused to appreciate Eliès’s Lego replica of the Gazelle 4×4, showing genuine interest in every aspect of the event.
Addressing the participants from the stage, Prince Albert II said, “I wish you all a safe journey filled with wonderful experiences, and of course, don’t forget to enjoy yourselves during this competition as well.”
With that, attendees departed for lunch and indulged in the gourmet offerings provided by Le Catering Robuchon Monaco.
The afternoon wrapped-up with the emotional departure ceremony at 1:45pm, where participants shared final moments with family, friends, and supporters before taking their positions in their vehicles. At around 2pm, Prince Albert II gave the official starting signal, sending the competitors on their way to North Africa.
Each team passed the starting line one by one, honking and waving to the cheering crowd while Prince Albert II elegantly acknowledged each competitor with a dignified wave, showing Monaco’s long-standing support for this unique competition that continues under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI of Morocco until April 26th.
This high-profile event offered Monaco residents and visitors alike an unforgettable experience and the perfect opportunity to show support for their favourite teams before they began their journey from Monaco to the challenging terrains of Morocco.
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Main photo by Monaco Life