Flyers master the turbulence in some heavy going
Rademeyer of Bushman’s River takes first place
Readers of these racing pigeon reports will be only too aware of the influence exerted on the outcome of races by the weather conditions prevailing on raceday.
This was evident yet again when the first ever national race, under the auspices of the SA National Pigeon Organisation (Sanpo) was flown from Prieska a few weeks ago.
Pigeons from fanciers from
118 km/h speeds posted in Central Zone
around SA were liberated in the Northern Cape to make their way home to lofts as far afield as George and Mossel Bay in the south and Polokwane in the north, competing for the honours in the three zones into which the fanciers had been divided for the event – a Southern Zone including flight destinations from Clanwilliam through to PE, a Central Zone extending from northeast of PE through to Richards Bay and a Northern Zone encompassing areas northeast of Richards Bay
200 Positions in race taken by local fliers
to Polokwane.
Pigeons from the Eastern Cape and Border lofts found the going much to their liking with local lofts sweeping the boards in the overall, combined result, courtesy of fresh to strong north-westerly winds.
Winning lofts in areas to the North and inland saw their zone winners register flying speeds in the region of 60-70 km/h, while the central zone posted over 118km/h.
The honour of winning the first ever national race went to the ECPF’s Jean Rademeyer of Bushman’s River. Runner-up in this prestigious event was Rademeyer’s Kowie compatriot, Boeta Pieterse, of the Sky Turtle Loft.
In third spot was a bird flown by Alan Weimann and Stuart Sanders of the Northern Flying Club. RESULTS: PRIESKA – FINAL: 1. J Rademeyer (ECPF )- 118,3; 2. Sky Turtle Loft (ECPF) – 117,9; 3. Weimann & Sanders (NFC) – 115,96; 4. Drie Duiweboere (AFC) – 115,75; 5. D Russel (NFC) – 115,71; 6 Drie Duiweboere (AFC) -115,68; 7. D Hartwig (NFC) 115,66; 8. D Russel (NFC) -115,63; 9. D Russel (NFC) – 115,62; 10. Weimann & Sanders (NFC) – 115,60.
KEY: AFC – Abbotsford Flying Club; ECPF – East Cape Pigeon Federation; NFC – EL Northern Flying Club..