Multifactional event a huge success

Samoelana holds on for dear life in the Crock Rodeo
Photos by Persephone Bolero

 
















By Bolero News Services

AMAZON — Namida Guila of the Amazon Polite Society took the gold in Saturday’s Shipwreck Race. Two Xocó women took the silver and copper awards, Aracia and Helen, respectively.

The first annual Amazon Olympics continues today with a Bloody Hunt, organized by Guilia, which will begin at noon. More games will be held next weekend.

Namida Guilia, center, stands with the gold, flanked by Aracia, left, and Helen.

As far as anyone can tell, it is the largest sporting event ever held in the Amazon, and dozens of members of tribes and factions who call the jungle home competed in Saturday’s Shipwreck Race and Crock Rodeo.

Preceding Saturday’s games, Tapirape Chieftess Eva Sawa led a parade along the river to the Tapirape camp. Tribe members Whispering Wind and her husband, Catten, are key organizers of the Shipwreck and Crock Rodeo games.

Catten of the Tapirape seen here refereeing the Shipwreck Race.

Flag bearers from Bandits, Valkyrie, Amazon Polite Society, and Barrio also marched in the parade.

The Crock Rodeo began after the Shipwreck Race and continues through next weekend.

Athletes are awarded points according to how well they perform in the games, and next Sunday, July 26, the athletes with the most points will be awarded Global Classify medals for overall performance in the Amazon Olympics.

Kenza of the Barrio paddles furiously in the Shipwreck Race

Eleven people competed in the Shipwreck Race. Two of the racers are believed to have drowned, been kidnapped, or met with some terrible fate, but nine of the racers did cross the finish line.

The top three finishers came in fairly close. Guilia finished the race with a time of 16 minutes, 27 seconds. Araci followed with 16 minutes, 52 seconds, and Helen came in three seconds behind Araci.

Carnival Queen, Evolly, proudly waves the Valkyrie flag.

The only points currently awarded awarded in the Global Classify are for the Shipwreck Race. This puts Guilia in the lead with 75 points, followed by Araci and Helen with 70 and 64 points, respectively.

Also holding position in the Global Classify are Kenza of the Barrio, Diana Maria Ramirez of the Xocó, and Khaing, chieftess of the Xocó.

Eva Sawa, chieftess of the Tapirape, led the parade.

When he’s not designing popular games in the Amazon, Guilia heads up security at the Amazon Polite Society, which operates various charitable events, as well as a clinic and luxury resort. The organization has been smeared with a series of vicious rumors that it engages in slavery and prostitution. No evidence has ever surfaced that these rumors are true, and Guilia proudly waved the society’s flag during the event.

More photos from the event can be seen at the Amazon in SL Flickr site. 

Diana Maria Ramirez passes a gate in the Shipwreck Race.
Photo by Cento Sogni