Mayarathika

Dakar Rally 1979 Writing about the Dakar women of 2021 led me into a rabbit hole into the world of Dakar history. I was simply curious to find out who the pioneer of this revolution was and who followed their footsteps. After all, the Dakar Rally simply is a test of grit with a love of the wilderness along with no gender discrimination or bias. Martine de Cortance Marie Ertaud Women have always been up to the challenge, even though their contribution is not highlighted enough. The first edition of the Dakar rally, (then known as the Dakar-Paris Rally) began in 1978 and women began participating from the very next year in 1979. That year was also hailed as the most successful edition in female participation in bikes with 7 brave women, from a total of 90 participants, decided to cross the desert on a motorcycle. The first seven women, all French, were: Martine de Cortanze, Marie Ertaud, Pascale Gueurie, Christine Martin-Lefort, Corinne Koppenhague, Martine Rénier and Marido. Of these