2023-06-24 19:02:00
Initially scheduled for last September and postponed due to capricious weather, the Duck Race took place this Saturday, June 24 in the Gardon d’Alès, between the Vieux bridge and the Neuf bridge. Under a blazing sun but with a wind against the direction of the race, the third edition proved to be laborious for the 13,000 rubber ducks.
Was this Saturday June 24 an ode to slowness? While the Snail Festival – the emblem of the village – was in full swing in Cruviers-Lascours, another equally unusual event animated the banks of the Gardon d’Alès. To raise funds, some associations rely on the organization of lottos, garage sales, or even pedestrian races. By organizing for the third time a “Duck Race”, a concept invented by Canadians, the Rotary Alès Cévennes has once again distinguished itself.
The principle remained the same: we “adopt” one or more ducks, which brings back a (big) prize in the event of a favorable result for the bird. And the organizing club donates the funds raised to a dozen partner associations including the Departmental Union of Gard Firefighters, the Amazons, the Warriors, Solidarity Senegal, Trisomy 21, Bruno’s Helping Hands, the Mad Singers, the Esat les Olivettes and the medico-educational institute les Châtaigniers.
“Maybe in vibrate mode they would move faster”
It was 11.30 a.m. sharp when 13,000 little rubber ducks were launched using a crane below the Vieux bridge. Their mission: to arrive as quickly as possible more than 400 meters downstream where the finish line was, shortly before the Pont-Neuf, at the height of the pontoon of Alès Plage. One problem: the direction of the wind, contrary to that of the race. “We would have done it yesterday, there was a north wind, it was good”commented a volunteer.
Thus, after a great start thanks to the current of the fish pass, the pace of the small aquatic birds – made of plastic – was considerably reduced. Their progress was even hampered by the wind, while the strongest gusts made them fall back. Nearly two hours after the start, half of a route worthy of a plain stage of the Tour de France remained to be swallowed. “Maybe in vibrate mode they would move faster”suggested Sandrine in the “comments” section of one of our Facebook videos.
As in July in front of the cyclists of the Grande Boucle, the few spectators scattered on the banks of the Gardon could be tempted by a nap. What the Rotary volunteers were not entitled to… And for good reason, if none of the 13,000 contenders for victory tried to escape alone, others let themselves be left behind by taking their paws in the foliage of the shore.
“Where is number 35? Have you seen number 35?”
The Rotary volunteers then decided to take out the pedal boats, and the “sweeper car” was responsible for bringing the “grupetto” back. But, as soon as the supervisors let go of the line of water with which they lowered the waterfowl, the latter made off. For a short time, the threat of an interruption of the race in favor of a draw designating the winners hovered.
But by creating waves by capsizing the pedal boat from right to left, while benefiting from the invaluable help of the frogman (our photo) who bellowed to energize the peloton, the Duck Race was finally able to go to its term. As the finish approached, when a massive sprint was no longer in doubt, the suspense remained. “Where is number 35? Have you seen number 35?”panicked a lady who firmly believed in victory.
To his great regret, the “duck” n°11 592, yellow jersey, orange beak and smirk, settled the tough sprint more than three hours after the start. He offers Isabelle Mallol, his buyer, the most beautiful of the 80 lots of the day: a Citroën Ami cart. At the end of an hour of deliberation which kept us all in awe, the victory was formalized after many checks by a mandated bailiff. For the members of Rotary, who plan to organize the next edition in 2025, it was time to pick up ducks lost in the Gardon.
The race in pictures:
The launch took place at the end of the morning. • Corentin Migoule
Landing nets were very useful for picking up stray ducks. • Corentin Migoule
Why is he looking at us like that? • Corentin Migoule
The start was promising. • Corentin Migoule
Not easy to distinguish his candidate among the 13,000 ducks in the water. • Corentin Migoule
The water line had to be taken out. • Corentin Migoule
The frogman was heroic! • Corentin Migoule
A swan will suffice… • Corentin Migoule
A few stray ducks and a beached clapper. • Corentin Migoule
Rotary volunteers had to wet the jersey to complete the race. • Corentin Migoule
This little boy had the best place for the finish. • Corentin Migoule
Deliberation in the presence of a bailiff and security, it’s serious business! • Corentin Migoule
The big winner won this cart. It was well worth the three hour wait! • Corentin Migoule
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