A dash over the hump, down under

July 13, 1997
Web posted at: 10:56 p.m. EDT (0256 GMT)

ALICE SPRINGS, Australia (CNN) -- In Australia's Camel Cup race, the hardest part may be deciding how to put on the saddle.

Hundreds gathered in Alice Springs, in the heart of Australia's Outback, for a 440-meter (500-yard) dash on camels over a dirt track. There were 14 camels, and, getting into the spirit of things, some of the more festive revelers adopted faux Arabian attire.

A thoroughbred race this wasn't. One camel even decided to rebel, turn around and go the other way.

But the winner, Jessie, came across in a facile 35 seconds. Perhaps it was all in the family. Jessie's jockey, Luke Fullerton, 16, is the grandson of the man who founded this camel contest.

 

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• Lions Camel Cup
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• Alice Springs Northern Territory Tourist Commission

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