No Levels, Only a Gala Celebration

“A lot of the males I do know need to have the ability to compete within the Rebelle Rally,” stated a competitor on Saturday morning after finishing the 1,600-mile, all-women’s navigational rally throughout the Nevada and California desert. “Even my husband needs to do it,” she added.

Because the rivals of the 2022 Rebelle Rally neared the occasion’s conclusion, they unwound, showered and let the strain of their shoulders fall away — lastly.

Saturday morning of the final official day of the rally, kicked off with a handful of former Rebelles instructing rally employees and media members to plot checkpoints and navigate utilizing the identical instruments that rivals use: a map, compass, and an assortment of specialised rulers.

Many have been stunned by how tough it’s, particularly after the organizers despatched them out on the dunes to attempt to find checkpoints they’d simply plotted. Some Rebelles took half within the “Woo Problem,” arrange by Technical Director Chris Woo to check their driving expertise.

The remaining little bit of day allowed for video games and aimless drives over the dunes; it’s good for reconnecting with household and associates after being off-grid the complete occasion.

Afternoon temperatures had climbed into the mid-80s, and despite extreme thunderstorm warnings — and potential flash floods within the valleys close by — the night attraction, the gala within the desert, was nonetheless on. By the point the solar set, many visitors had arrived, and a downpour threatened to close the social gathering out.

The rain solely cooled issues down, and the gala moved contained in the shelter of the tent. In earlier years, the gala had been held in San Diego, however COVID-19 protocols from the previous three years have compelled the rally’s organizers to maneuver the gala out to stage finale — the desert.

Whereas the winners of the Rebelle Rally have been introduced, their kin and associates loved a gourmand dinner and danced underneath the massive high tent. Winners obtained each awards and rewards: checks from sponsors like Pirelli, Scrubblade and MaxTrax starting from $5,000 for use in the direction of the price of entry into subsequent 12 months’s rally, or as much as a $5,000 donation to their charity of selection.

Group 129 took first place total, making Nena Barlow and Teralin Petereit back-to-back winners at Rebelle. Group 188, with Laura Wanlass and Maria Guitar, got here in second place. And Group 152 got here in third, with Becky Brophy and Samantha Barber.

The Rookies of the Yr award went to Lily Macaruso and Alex Anderson for being high finishers on the Rebelle Rally, and for putting fourth within the highly- aggressive 4X4 class. The Rivian-backed workforce may have $5,000 donated (of their identify) to their chosen charity. And the Group Spirit Award, which is voted on by Rebelle employees and rivals, went to Group 133 with Suzi McBride and Heidi Dillard. They received $5,000 in the direction of their charity of selection, Women Who Code.

Because the gala wrapped and other people danced underneath the tent, the washes at Glamis Dunes danced, too — starting to run with rainwater. Emily Miller, founding father of the Rebelle Rally, left the rivals with clever phrases as they returned to their lives outdoors the rally, “The world is extra distracted today, relationships are extra separated. You need to make an effort to be current,” she stated. “Take what you’ve discovered from the Rebelle: put the cellphone down and search for. Get pleasure from each dawn, and luxuriate in each sundown.”

The 2022 Rebelle Rally is finished. Registration for the 2023 Rebelle Rally is now open.