Winning gold!

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Competitors sifted through the sand to find the hidden gold flakes as fast as they could. swissinfo.ch

It's not a recognised Olympic discipline - but that didn't stop people from around the world from descending on the Italian place to watch the panning. swissinfo.ch

Between five and 12 gold flakes were mixed in with a few kilogrammes of sand in each pool. swissinfo.ch

One Swiss participant brought along his lucky pig. swissinfo.ch

Deadpans: These three Swiss veterans proudly show that they also took part in the world championships when they were held two years ago in the Canadian Yukon. swissinfo.ch

Swiss prospector Rosmarie Forlin (middle) shares her passion for goldpanning with her husband. swissinfo.ch

Children accounted for around ten per cent of the participants. swissinfo.ch

Good luck charm: not every prospector has had the fortune of finding a nugget this size. swissinfo.ch

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Gold prospectors pan for gold at World Championships.

Around 400 gold prospectors including many Swiss took part in the World Goldpanning Championships in the Italian community of Vermogno di Zubiena this summer. (Ambra Craighero/swissinfo.ch)