World Snail Racing Championships 2011

Today saw the World Snail Racing Championships 2011 held at the Congham Church Fete in Norfolk.

This international event takes place annually and attracts snails and their jockeys from right across the globe. Competing this year were people and molluscs from as far afield as Japan and Devon.

Last years champion snail-jockey Claire Lawrence attended the races again, but her winning steed, Sidney, was put out to pasture following last years event. This year Mrs Lawrence’s four-year-old grandson Max was jockeying his own snail, named Optimus Slime.

“We released Sidney, who won last year, into our garden and we are sure this snail is one of his offspring.” Mrs Lawrence explained.

“He has a really good pedigree and we have high hopes of him winning.”

But unfortunately for Max it was a local Norfolk citizen who won this year’s championships. Six-year-old Anton Lucas of Ashwicken, near King’s Lynn took the first prize of silver tankard and lettuce leaves with his snail, Zoomer.

“It’s lovely to win. I am going to set Zoomer free in the woods.” The youngster said afterwards.

Zoomer completed the 13inch course in 3mins 23secs, a little faster than last year’s winner but still way of the world record of two minutes set by a snail called Archie back in 1995.

Image Copyright© Tony Scase News Service Ltd

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