Silver streak in slimy competition
A SNAIL'S pace is quicker than you think, especially when glitter and racing stripes get involved.
A slippery competition has taken off at the Tannymorel Bowls Club, where snails battle it out on the race board every Wednesday night.
The contest is all in the name of fun and laughter according to snail trainer and bar attendant Leanne Mundey.
"We were just talking about how there's a lot of snails around one night and we wondered how they would go and they moved pretty quick,” Ms Mundey said.
The races launched about a month ago and were such a hit that patrons vocalised their disappointment when they were called off one night.
Regular competitors are distinguished by their artistically decorated shells, and are know by names like Gary Glitter, Aussie and Stripe to match.
Ladybird is the regular winner at the moment, taking out the title more than once.
Ms Mundey said picking a champion snail was a fine art and bigger wasn't always better.
"We're encouraging people to bring their own snails along and train them up,” she said.
Tips on how to raise a fine athlete include a strict diet of flowers and lettuce and making sure they have plenty of water throughout the day.
New contestants are urged to come out of their shells when the races kick off at 7pm on Wednesday.
