Emilija Gelazninkiene shares her thoughts on completing Dakar Rally Stages 1 – 4 at the end of day 4 at the bivouac in Al-Hofuf. In what can be described as nowhere near perfect start, with accident relegating Emilija and co-driver Arunas Gelazninkas to 27th after Stage 1 in SSV category, the first woman to race Dakar from Lithuania celebrated completing Stage 4 in 13th position.
Most certainly, having plans shattered so early in the race can put a huge damper on the realistic chances that Emilijia would be able to recover their position on the table rankings, yet when fierce bombardment of determination sets in, anything can be achieved.
From finishing Stage 2 in 18th place, Stage 3 in 20th, and really enjoying the rhythm of racing in the dunes, Emilija was all smiles when they arrived at the bivouac – in daylight after Stage 4. As Emilijia explains:
‘In the first stage we started from the back so we raced in dust and we finished in the dark. The first three days were really tough because we couldn’t see with the dust so that meant we were not able to push full gas. Today was a little bit better – in the beginning, we started in the middle and I had the opportunity to push full gas for like – 125 kilometers – so I did.
With such positivity of thought, Emilijia proves that strength of mind has the potential to turn disappointment, anger, frustration, and emotional upset into another learning curve which contributes to improved race performance. Such step-by-step process, as Emilijia explains, acts as motivation to rise above all challenges presented during racing, to produce results which edge position standings closer to goals set, many months ago.
Emilijia: ‘So, yes emotions in the beginning were very bad, knowing how much support and training we had gone through to race Dakar. So, to keep fighting from one day to the next, and then we finish happy, like today. You know – it’s like a step by step process driving the car – as the race is very long and you don’t know what will happen in the next stage’.
All of which brings a turning point in Emilijia’s journey racing Dakar Rally on debut – entering Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter – and the massive, looming, mountains of desert sand dunes. For some competitors, the thought of tackling Stage 6 – the CHRONO 48H – would be daunting enough, add in the navigation of waypoints hidden amongst terrain stretching far into the horizon, and the task would seem too hard.
Not so for Emilijia: ‘I can’t wait for CHRONO 48H as I love the dunes. I loved today, the track felt like it suited me and I guess that’s why the results speak for themselves. Happy to be going up and starting with faster competitors – that means we can go faster. And that’s exactly what we will try tomorrow – keep up that pace!’.
Far from near the final Stage 12, one thing is for certain, Emilijia, co-driver Arunas, and Team crew have all capabilities to push beyond what is possible, for real results competing in Dakar Rally 2024.
Dakar Rally Stage 5 Al Hofuf to Shubaytah total of 645kms with 118kms timed.
Header photo: Emilijia Gelazninkiene competing in Dakar Rally 2024. Image: @samisauri
Words: Sharon Cox
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