Women enter final Stage 14 of 2023 Dakar Rally – Al-Hofuf to Dammam having endured the most challenging of Dakar’s in history. Starting with Prologue on December 31 on the coast of the Red Sea, through to completing total distance of 8,469.51kms over 14 days, of which 4,164kms were timed, these women have accomplished more than can be described in a few words.
Break-down of women competitors in Bike, Car, Lightweight Prototype, and SSV classifications reveals insight on how these women have overcome all they have encountered whether alone on a bike or side-by-side with a co-driver. All women have sourced abilities to endure racing over such challenging terrain, with rocky passes ramping up odds of punctures, to navigating Saudi sand dunes the size of mountains in the 45th edition of Dakar Rally.
These women have not pressed the pause button when results were achieved after each Stage. No, these women have fronted up Stage after Stage, when tiredness gets the better of all, when focus must be honed again and again, and when pushing remains order of the day, even when complacency would be easier option.
Only 2 females remain in Bike category, with Dutch rider Mirjam Pol completing 14 Stages in total time of 56 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds. Ranked 29th out of 64 rider’s remaining in Rally 2, Mirjam represents true spirit of Dakar, not only enjoying surfing the dunes, but also takes heart on the camaraderie shared amongst fellow competitors throughout Dakar’s race.
Massive props goes to South African rider Kirsten Landman, who looks all set – fingers crossed – to complete Malle Moto classification for the first time. What a roller coaster of a race the past 14 days has been for Kirsten, going through all physical and mental barriers to endure the hardships of competing in Dakar with no assistance, along with the array of emotions which she has overcome to stay safe, stay upright, and keep focused on making it to the finish.
Spanish driver Laia Sanz currently holds P15 in T1.2 Prototype Cross Country Cars 4×2 with co-driver Maurizio Gerini having completed 14 Stages in 62 hours, 58 minutes, and 49 seconds. For Sanz, making the switch from racing 11 consecutive Dakar’s in Bike category to making the switch to Car classification in 2022-2023 has in all regards been successful decision.
Paraguay driver Andrea Lafarja remains the only other female driver competing in T1+ Prototype Cross Country Cars 4×4 standing 15th overall.
In T3: Lightweight Prototype classification, Spanish driver Cristina Gutierrez represents rare attributes of wanting more from herself, even when rankings confirm her 4th position overall. With co-driver Pablo Moreno Huete, @cris-tortu reaches for increased performance each and every Stage, completing 14 days in 53 hours, 34 minutes and 12 seconds.
Dutch rookie driver, Anja van Loon has not only exceeded her own expectations and her partner’s – Erik Van Loon – but has also ramped up her desire to race 2024 Dakar – next time behind the driver’s wheel of the Team’s truck. As Erik states:
‘Anja will drive an Iveco with three women on board. The co-driver and mechanic have already been chosen. The mechanic is a Dutch woman who works as a truck specialist in her everyday life. Anja’s great strength is that she has a natural talent for speed, she doesn’t need to work to acquire it, and now she’s making leaps and bounds’.
With Anja’s standing on P14 overall in T3, Saudi driver Dania Akeel ranks next in 29th position, notwithstanding Dania’s best result of 7th in Stage 9. Equally, Buggyra Racing driver and rookie Aliyyah Koloc confirmed the 18 year old has all the talent required to race Dakar notching best result of 10th in Stage 12, while standing 32nd in T3 overall classification.
Making short work of getting her name known, Uruguay driver Patricia Pita Gago has climbed T3 rankings to stand P24 heading into final leg tomorrow, along with Brazilian driver Pamela Bozzano who completes remaining 4 rookie entries in Lightweight Prototype, ranked P33.
Dakar Rally Legend Camelia Liparoti holds standing for X Raid Team with mix of unfortunate incidents for fellow Team-mates Annett Fischer and co-driver Annie Seel crashing in Stage 12, and unable to continue in remaining Stages.
Australian driver Molly Taylor nailed P10 in Stage 12 with co-driver Andrew Short, stating she has really grown in stature managing South Racing Can-Am’s car in the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia. While, co-driver Rosa Romero Font hangs on to P34 with driver Pedro Manuel Penate Munoz heading into final Stage 14 in less than 12 hours time.
2023 Dakar Rally Stage 14 Al-Hofuf to Dammam total distance 417kms with 136kms timed.
Header photo: Kirsten Landman Image: Team.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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