People from across the world, even as far afield as Malawi, have gathered in Congham, Norfolk, for the world snail racing championships.
Some of the French people there are a bit confused as they thought it was some sort of takeaway.
The championships have been happening at the annual village fete for 25 years.
This year's winner was Terri, from West Raynham, Norfolk, who slithered along the 1 foot, 1 inch course in 2 minutes, 49 seconds.
The victor claimed a silver tankard filled with lettuce, and the prestigious title of "Fastest Snail in the World".
The current record, set in 1995, is 2 minutes.
Ready Steady ... Escargot!
Championships ... Ready, steady, slow
By STAFF REPORTER
19th July 2009
The Sun
COMPETITORS gathered from around the globe for the world snail racing championships.
People in Congham, Norfolk, have been racing the shell-dwellers at their annual fete for 25 years.
The annual gathering sees about 250 people from as far away as Malawi bring their hard-backed friends along to race.
This year it was pesky plant-eater Terri who set his owner on a silvery trail to fame if not fortune.
In his quest to become the world's fastest snail, the slimy competitor slithered 13 inches to the finish line in 2 minutes 49 seconds.
Snails ... gett a slitter on
Owner, 27-year-old Claire Hopkins, from West Raynham, Norfolk, said: "We only came by chance so this is quite unexpected, I feel quite privileged to win."
The creatures who win the preliminary are then entered into the final at the end of the day.
Snail master Neil Riseborough, 50, said: "This is the snail racing world championships, all the rest are imitations. If you don't win the final here then you're not a world champion."
The victor claimed a silver tankard filled with lettuce, and the prestigious title of "Fastest Snail in the World".
The current record was achieved in 1995 at two minutes.
thesun.co.uk
Some of the French people there are a bit confused as they thought it was some sort of takeaway.
The championships have been happening at the annual village fete for 25 years.
This year's winner was Terri, from West Raynham, Norfolk, who slithered along the 1 foot, 1 inch course in 2 minutes, 49 seconds.
The victor claimed a silver tankard filled with lettuce, and the prestigious title of "Fastest Snail in the World".
The current record, set in 1995, is 2 minutes.
Ready Steady ... Escargot!
Championships ... Ready, steady, slow
By STAFF REPORTER
19th July 2009
The Sun
COMPETITORS gathered from around the globe for the world snail racing championships.
People in Congham, Norfolk, have been racing the shell-dwellers at their annual fete for 25 years.
The annual gathering sees about 250 people from as far away as Malawi bring their hard-backed friends along to race.
This year it was pesky plant-eater Terri who set his owner on a silvery trail to fame if not fortune.
In his quest to become the world's fastest snail, the slimy competitor slithered 13 inches to the finish line in 2 minutes 49 seconds.
Snails ... gett a slitter on
Owner, 27-year-old Claire Hopkins, from West Raynham, Norfolk, said: "We only came by chance so this is quite unexpected, I feel quite privileged to win."
The creatures who win the preliminary are then entered into the final at the end of the day.
Snail master Neil Riseborough, 50, said: "This is the snail racing world championships, all the rest are imitations. If you don't win the final here then you're not a world champion."
The victor claimed a silver tankard filled with lettuce, and the prestigious title of "Fastest Snail in the World".
The current record was achieved in 1995 at two minutes.
thesun.co.uk