Congratulations to Ladies Cup winner Annie Seel for finishing the 2010 Dakar Rally at 45th position overall, placing her first among the women competitors. But Annie Seel was not the only woman rider to finish Dakar. For “Dirtgirl” Tina Meier, 2010 marked her first Dakar Rally finish, coming in at 85th overall.
Completing the rally is all the more remarkable considering Tina’s challenge toward the end of stage 3 (La Rioja – Fiambala). Conditions that day included crusty dunes and “fesh fesh” – a powder-like sand that requires exceptional technical skill. Toward the end of the stage, Tina’s Yamaha failed. Rather than drop out, she hopped on a spectator’s horse and rode to the bivouac where officials permitted her to return to her bike with needed parts and her mechanic, as long as the mechanic did not touch the bike. Meier was walked through the needed repairs then traded the horse for her Yamaha and finished the stage.
Participants come from all over the world to take part in the Dakar Rally, a 17-day event that covers approximately 5600 miles (9000 kilometers). 2010 was the second year the rally took place in South America. Starting and finishing in Buenos Aires, the highlight of the 9000 kilometer (5600 miles) race is the Atacama Desert. The terrain is challenging, visually breathtaking and a rally enthusiast's dream.
For many participants, the goal is simply to finish -- it's that tough. Way to go, Tina!
