Grand Prix d'Aviation. 1912. Ernest Louis Lessieux.
28 3/8 x 40 ¾ in./72 x 103.5 cm
Military men look on, skeptically and thoughtfully, as a ground crew struggles to manage a Blériot XXVII on the turf outside Angers. This was “the first contest to show the extent to which the aeroplane could be depended upon as an instrument of war” (Looping the Loop, p. 83). In the actual competition, an early summer date proved unwise as terrible rains and winds descended upon the course. Just before the event was postponed, however, Roland Garros landed his Deperdussin “Demoiselle,” winning the event to the consternation of the other 34 pilots who hadn’t been able to compete. “‘It was a moving, at times agonizing, demonstration,’ reported Le Matin. ‘The most marvelous show of valor in aviation,’ chimed in writer Jacques Mortane. The exploit of Garros against a fierce wind had placed him ahead of all the pilots in the world” (p.83).
PARIS, FRANCE May 23. RAFAEL NADAL of Spain during his match against Jordan Thompson of Australia on Court Philippe Chatrier, during the singles first round match at the 2022 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros.
//In the second Grand Slam of the year and after 3 years Maria Sharapova returned to Roland Garros in France and defeated Richèl Hogenkamp by 6-1 4-6 6-3 and advanced to second round. May 29, 2018.
Last year, the French Open banned a catsuit Serena Williams wore to help with post-birth blood clots. This year, she showed up in an outfit with the French words for MOTHER, CHAMPION, QUEEN and GODDESS.
Maria posted an IG video of her actually hitting balls again. Hopefully that’s a good sign that she could still play Roland Garros and we’ll get to see this dress in action. If not, here’s how it might look on her…
