Kansas defends USA from Brits. Wins Pancake Race!

While you were out partying on Fat Tuesday, the town of Liberal, Kansas, was busy preparing pancakes and training for its race against arch nemesis Olney, England. Think Frasier versus Ali, Rocky versus Apollo, Rocky versus Drago uh… Rocky versus anyone. Fortunately, this time the good guys won and Kansas whipped England’s ass.

We have Wichita State student Tasha Gallegos to thank for the win. She finished the 380 meter course in a blistering 57.5 seconds all the while holding a skillet with a pancake and wearing a skirt! Olney’s fastest woman was five seconds slower.

Liberal, Kansas, is the Kenya of pancake racing. In the 59 sanctioned races the town has run against Olney, it’s won 34. The official rules are as follows:

Women must be of 18 years of age or over and either have lived in the town of Olney or Liberal for at least 3 months immediately prior to the event or, if living away, have their permanent home in the town.For the race they must wear the traditional 

costume of the housewife, including a skirt, apron and head covering, though they need not be married. At the start the Starter will order competitors: “Toss your pancakes — Are you ready?” and then give the starting signal. At the Finish the winner is required to toss her pancake before being declared the winner.

Here is the video from last year’s race, when USA once again grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat and high school senior Amanda Curtis won in 66 seconds.