Tuesday, April 7, 2015 (Essaouira, Morocco) – The 25th edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles wrapped in Essaouira, Morocco on April 4th with its finest celebrations to date.  158 teams plus sponsors and organizers were treated to fireworks, a fine prize giving ceremony and a black tie gala celebration set against the backdrop of the 18th century medina.

The long journey began in Nice, France, and Rabat, Morocco, as the teams endured cold rains, a treacherous blizzard and stellar clear days that made the Saharan features come to life as they navigated and drove across southern Morocco from Erfoud to Foum Z’guid. Upon driving across the finish line, teams then proceeded seven hours to the famed beach town of Essaouira where the rally ends each year. Competitors were treated to events that celebrated their accomplishment and reminded them that the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is about the journey and not the destination or final score.

The 10 U.S. teams, dressed in fine attire, danced until the early morning hours and recounted the endless stories that reminded them that although the desert is always ready to bite, there were always solutions.

A strong showing from the American teams was appreciated and celebrated in the prize-giving ceremony. A record number of teams from the U.S. competed this year and all Automobile/Truck class teams finished in the top half of the competition. Two first-time participation prizes were awarded, four teams were in the top 25 of the 4×4 class, and Chrissie Beavis and Alyssa Roenigk won the Crossover division.

On Sunday, April 5th, the NBC Nightly News with Savannah Guthrie aired a feature on the 25th anniversary of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. To learn more and view the NBC Nightly News segment, click here.

United States Teams Final General Standings
Quad/Moto/SSV:
7 – #23 – Price/Sacks

Crossover:
1 – #317 – Roenigk/Beavis
5 – #316 – Mead/Marschner

Automobile/Truck:
10 – #180 – Pitell-Vaughan/Combs
12 – #107 – Hoehn/Hoehn
14 – #218 – Croft/Cahill
22 – #182 – Klishevich/DeSybourg-Siffert
41 – #175 – Saxten/Saxten
56 – #183 – Donaghe/Fiorentino

Expert:
14 – #400 – Lerner/Howells
First Participation Challenge

Quad/Moto/SSV:
1 – #23 – Price/Sacks

Automobile/Truck:
1 – #180 – Pitell-Vaughan/Combs