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Snailor Swift: Tiny Racer Crowned World Champion!
20 Jul
Summary
- Snailor Swift, a racer named after Taylor Swift, won the championship.
- The event had 271 snails competing in 18 heats.
- Winners receive a lettuce-filled tankard, not cash.
This year's World Snail Racing Championships saw an unusual champion emerge: Snailor Swift. This tiny competitor, whose name pays homage to pop star Taylor Swift, triumphed at the event held on Saturday at Grimston Cricket Club in west Norfolk. The championship featured 271 snails battling it out over 18 heats, drawing an audience of about 600 spectators.
Snailor Swift navigated the 13.5-inch course in an impressive three minutes and 13 seconds, securing the world title. The owner, Sam Pemberton, was awarded a tankard filled with lettuce, a unique prize for this long-standing British tradition.
The championships, which have been a fixture since the 1960s, saw creatively named snails like Christopher Slowlan and Snailifer Lopez vying for the top spot. "Snail Master" Ian Haynes expressed delight in the continuation of this "quirky, bonkers tradition," noting the event's largest turnout since its return in 2023 after a pandemic hiatus.
Competitors traveled from across the globe, including France, Germany, Poland, the United States, and Brazil. Preparations for the snails varied, with trainers employing tactics like cucumber hydration and keeping snails in darkness. Funds raised from the event support the local community and St Andrew's Church.
