• A duck and a chicken compete in a skiing competition held for pets and their owners in Sanmenxia, north China’s Henan province.
    A duck and a chicken compete in a skiing competition held for pets and their owners in Sanmenxia, north China’s Henan province.
  • A yellow duck takes to the slopes in a fetching red neck tie.
    A yellow duck takes to the slopes in a fetching red neck tie.
  • The winner: A yellow duck was first down the slopes. The 40 human competitors were allowed to place their animals on skis or sledges, or could guide the pet with a lead while skiing, the report said.
    The winner: A yellow duck was first down the slopes. The 40 human competitors were allowed to place their animals on skis or sledges, or could guide the pet with a lead while skiing, the report said.
  • Much like the Ancient Greek fable where a tortoise beat a hare, the reptile again got the better of a leporid.
    Much like the Ancient Greek fable where a tortoise beat a hare, the reptile again got the better of a leporid.
  • The duck attracts a curious stare from a dog.
    The duck attracts a curious stare from a dog.
  • The duck is held aloft by its owner who clutches a red certificate of honour after it waddled over the finish line first.
    The duck is held aloft by its owner who clutches a red certificate of honour after it waddled over the finish line first.
  • Skiing has become more popular in China in recent years, with a range of slopes opening across the country’s cold north, and it is bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
    Skiing has become more popular in China in recent years, with a range of slopes opening across the country’s cold north, and it is bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
  • Two playful dogs get their owners in a tangle during the race.
    Two playful dogs get their owners in a tangle during the race.
  • Two dogs pay homage to the winning duck, and the rooster, which came second.
    Two dogs pay homage to the winning duck, and the rooster, which came second.
  • “Because the rabbit loved jumping and didn’t follow its owner’s commands, it was overtaken by the tortoise,” a Chinese news report said.
    “Because the rabbit loved jumping and didn’t follow its owner’s commands, it was overtaken by the tortoise,” a Chinese news report said.

World

In pictures: Tortoise beats rabbit in China’s pet race on skis

Mark Asquith

January 14, 2014

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Much like the Ancient Greek fable where a tortoise beat a hare, the reptile again got the better of a leporid, this time a rabbit, in a race on skis in northern China. The eventual winner though turned out to be a yellow duck. All Photos CHINA / AFP PHOTO

China