The US Team 2018 of pioneering all-women rallye Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc—the first international off-road rally race of its kind exclusively for women—hosted an event at Provençal restaurant MAMO in New York City to celebrate their journey to Morocco for the 28th Annual Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc, which takes place March 16-31.
The event celebrated the guests of honor, competitors Jazmin Grimaldi & Kiera Chaplin, Schanel B. & Pauline Ducret, Keanna Erickson-Chang & Claudia Barbera-Pullen, and Martine Taylor & Elena Sorre.
Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’Oeuvres as they learned more about the event and the women competing.
Notable attendees included: Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, Ian Mellencamp, Elena Sorre, Schanel Bakkouche, Keanna Erickson-Chang, Pauline Ducruet, Gaultier Desandre Navarre, Sarah Zendejas, Paul Trustfull, Brooke Bond, Maddy Karlsson and Danielle Harris.
The annual Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc sees women ages 18 to 71 from more than 30 different countries taking to the Moroccan desert without GPS — relying only on old-fashioned navigation, completely off-road. Each vehicle is equipped with satellite tracking system, powerful enough to provide minute by minute tracking, so without seeing a vehicle for hours, the women are never alone. By the end of the experience, participants—known as “Gazelles”—have created adventure-filled new memories, deepened their bonds with their teammates, and pushed themselves further than they ever thought they could.
Pictured:
Elena Sorre, Schanel Bakkouche, Keanna Erickson-Chang, Pauline Ducruet, Jazmin Grace Grimald