After some debate between the officials regarding Rhona & Alasdair’s eligibility to compete (they didn’t have the required French documentation), they were allowed to enter. The initial talk through by the senior marshal was translated by mum, with the pair basically being told to ‘follow the man on the bike’.

Alasdair put in a sterling performance, finishing in seventh place against a field which had the advantage of age & experience over him. Rhona led from the start, her transition training from the Alpha Ranger’s training coming in very useful.

After each stage she had increased her lead & was about 100m in front with only 200m of the final run remaining. Unfortunately however, the ‘man on the bike’ left the course at the last marshal & Rhona, not understanding the instructions being shouted in French, followed him. By the time she realised her error, she had dropped to third place. Luckily she still mounted the podium to receive the trophy for the first girl.

 

‘L’année prochaine…’ was called out as the two left, having enjoyed their first taste of competition in France.