The Dakar was cancelled, but the fifth annual, women-only, Butterflies Rally in the Tunisian desert goes on — today, in fact — with women from Africa, Europe, and even North America participating.
The Tunisian Ministry of Youth, Sports and Physical Education picked Nadia Ghammoudi, daughter of Olympic champion Mohammed Ghammoudi, to organize the rally, which is "confirmation that the Tunisian desert is safe," said Ghammoudi at a press conference.
The 1,800 km-long Butterflies Rally starts in the suburbs of the Tunisian capital and finishes in the southern part of the north African country on March 12th. Volunteer doctors will accompany race staff in order to do free medical work in villages along the way.
Motorcycle and car drivers will compete in this women-only event, which this year coincides with International Women’s Day. Kind of puts new meaning in the old Helen Reddy song, doesn’t it? The winning team will also receive a week-long vacation in Egypt.
We hear that a Canadian entry is among the field — if anyone knows who this is, feel free to contact us!
