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)