Buffaloes, ducks terrible racers

Buffaloes, ducks terrible racers

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Twenty-four pairs of buffaloes and 280 ducks taking part in the first-ever contest yesterday turned out to be poor racers.

In addition to speed, the contestants were also judged for their "style". Buffaloes were to sprint their 75-meter lap while the ducks had to waddle their way to the finish line, 50 meters away.

The buffalo races, or karapan, and duck herding competition were organized to enliven Semarang's 448th anniversary.

Judges had a hard time determining the winners because the buffaloes and ducks kept breaking the rules by running outside of the lines.

Chief of the Purwosari village Bambang Gunadi said that contesting buffaloes should be provided with reigns in the future so that they will be more easily harnessed.

Semarang mayor Soetrisno Suharto acknowledged that the event sponsored by the provincial tourism office was "exciting" but the results were somewhat "disappointing," Antara reported.

When presenting cups and cash for the owners of the animals, he said the event would be held annually but asked that the rules of the games be improved. (pan)