- Title: UK: WORLD SNAIL-RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Date: 19th July 1998
- Summary: CONGHAM, NORFOLK, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 18, 1998) (RTV) 1. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING FETE/ BRASS BAND PLAYING/ CAKE STAND/ PEOPLE PLAYING FRENCH BOULES 2. BELLY DANCING LADIES 3. PEOPLE GATHERED ROUND SNAIL STAND 4. SNAIL RACE STARTS 5. SNAIL OWNER COMPLAINS OF RIGGING/ SNAIL RACING PRESIDENT 6. RAISBOROUGH " THIS IS THE WORLD SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS NEIL RAISBOROUGH SORTING OUT THE PROBLEM THIS IS THE PREMIER ONE. WE'VE PROBABLY GOT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED SNAILS COMPETING, I HAVEN'T SEEN TOO MANY INCOGNITO FOREIGNERS ABOUT THIS YEAR BUT THEY LIKE TO COME 7. WOMAN EATING ICE-CREAM WAITING FOR FINAL 8. FINAL OF SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS GETS UNDERWAY 9. SNAILS NOT MOVING. 10. SNAILS FIGHTING FOR POLE POSITION 11. EXCITED SPECTATORS 12. TWO SNAILS BATTLE TO CROSS THE LINE FIRST/ SCHUMACHER WINS 13. SCHUMACHER OWNER THOMAS VINCENT RECEIVES FIRST PRIZE OF TANKARD AND LETTUCE LEAVES Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 3rd August 1998 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: CONGHAM, NORFOLK, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA25022RPLJXEHNNSCRA22975SF
- Story Text: It's official, Schumacher's the new World Champion - and he did it at a snail's pace! But then Schumacher IS a snail and will never rival his namesake, twice world motor-racing champion Michael, for speed.The world snail-racing championships have been taking place in rural England.
The villagers of Congham in Norfolk held their annual fete on Saturday (July 18).There was the usual brass band, stalls selling home-made cakes and a gentle game of boules.
There was also belly dancing - not normally associated with summer gala activities in rural England.
But in keeping with the English reputation for eccentricity, the day's highlight was the World Snail-racing Championships.
For thirty years competitors have been flocking to the village for what must rank as the slowest event on any sporting calender.
The snails line up in the centre of a 13-inch (33 centimetres) diameter course.After a slow start the middle section of the race proceeded at sorry about this...snail's pace, before a final slow scramble to the finishing line.
Schumacher fought off a late challenge from his close rival Divine to lift the trophy for his owner and trainer nine-year-old Thomas Vincent.The prize - a silver tankard stuffed with the very best lettuce leaves.
Schumacher's winning time of three minutes was well outside last year's record by Archie the Fourth who completed the course in an astonishing two minutes.
Sadly there were casualties this year as some snails made their way home.
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