PATRICK BAUER, RACE DIRECTOR
: “ TO SEE THE COMPETITORS’ SMILING
FACES IS MY GREATEST REWARD”
Patrick Bauer, how did the 19th
Marathon des Sables go?
Incredibly
well. You only had to look at the way the competitors were smiling
from ear to ear. Nobody has criticised anything, or
reproached us for anything. For us, that’s the greatest reward
of all. Everything went according to plan, which is virtually unbelievable.
When
everything goes so smoothly, isn’t there the danger
that it becomes too predictable, too much of a routine?
But there
is no routine. In the organisation there were lots of changes this
year. 50% of the logistics department were new this
year, as well as half ot the check-point officials. However, there
were no problems and it’s precisely this kind of renewal
which stops it from becoming stale. Everybody comes here each year
full of enthusiasm.
As far as the competition goes, you realise if you look at the
difference in timing, that Lahcen Ahansal is unbeatable, but that
doesn’t mean that the race wasn’t exciting to watch.
The brothers competed hard against each other, ruthlessly…But
the competition isn’t just about first and second place.
There was a heated battle for the first ten places. For the women
too, it was a gripping race – there was the gradual climb
to victory by Kayser, and the intense competition between Bellotti
and Sammons. It was spectacular.
Are you preparing anything special
for the 20th race ?
I’m too involved in organising this year’s event to
think about next year. All I can say for the moment is that there
are a few surprises in store, to do with the route, the distance…and
other things...
In terms of media coverage, are you happy with the
results ?
Yes,
extremely.. There has been some excellent footage, which has been
shown all over the world. We were on the news on France
2, several times. As well as appearing on Asian TV, in Vietnam.
I’m really happy that, depite the lack of support from the
Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Communication, we managed
to maintain high quality, extensive media coverage.
What was your
favourite moment ?
As always it was very moving to
be at the finishing line. I broke the news to a competitor that
he had just become a father…Both
of us were moved to tears.
A last word ?
A huge thank you to the Royal Armed Forces who helped
us enormously in organising this event. Which is another way of
thanking his
Majesty the King Mohammed VI who gave them instructions.
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