Dax, Aquitaine, France, 31 May 2014: Competitors dodge, weave and vault charging bulls in the "Course Landaise" a sport practised uniquely here. Participants have neither swords to kill the bulls nor capes to distract them, but must use their agility to sidestep or leap over the animals, which are returned to their pens after the event. These are the same fighting bulls bred in Spain for the bullring. But perhaps here they face better odds. Credit: Nick Gammon/Alamy Live News

Dax, Aquitaine, France, 31 May 2014: Competitors dodge, weave and vault charging bulls in the "Course Landaise" a sport practised uniquely here. Participants have neither swords to kill the bulls nor capes to distract them, but must use their agility to sidestep or leap over the animals, which are returned to their pens after the event. These are the same fighting bulls bred in Spain for the bullring. But perhaps here they face better odds. Credit: Nick Gammon/Alamy Live News

Nick Gammon / Alamy Stock Photo

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Competitors dodge, weave and vault charging bulls in the "Course Landaise" a sport practiced uniquely in South West France. Participants have neither swords to kill the bulls nor capes to distract them, but must use their agility to sidestep or leap over the animals, which are returned to their pens after the event. Sauteurs or "leapers" and écarteurs "dodgers" dressed in brocaded waistcoats compete in teams, attempting to use their skillful swerves and acrobatic leaps to avoid the bulls's charges. These are the same fighting bulls bred in Spain for the bullring. But perhaps here they face better odds. The sport echoes a key ritual of Minoan religion, in Bronze Age Crete.

Location: Dax, Aquitaine, France