Published 23 August 2010

To All Pigeon Fanciers

It gives me great pleasure to report on the 2nd race of the Somerset West International Classic Club which was held on Monday, 9th August 2010 – Women’s day. The event turned into a very difficult race for all concerned and only three birds managed to return to their lofts on the day of liberation. The race was won by Dr Hendrik van der Merwe from Welgemoed, whose pigeons have shown their class earlier with excellent results at Sun City and the various National one-race lofts. Second was Dr Wim Peters of Somerset West who also timed in the first bird the next morning and third was a relative newcomer, SM van Wyk of Paarl. The returns on the next day, Tuesday were slow but around 9:30 – depending on where you live - the 30 prize-money positions had been filled. A full prize-winner list appears at the bottom of this article.


Somerset West International Classic Winner
2009 NRHU P00892 | Breeder Dr Hendrik van der Merwe

[ View Results ]

The race had been a particularly difficult one for the organizers. It was never intended that the prize positions should stretch over two days but this was due wholly to the unexpected weather on the day. Monday morning at release time it was an absolutely perfect day for pigeon racing at Kenhardt, chilly but with full sun and no wind. Prior to release numerous attempts were made to gauge conditions for the rest of the day and all predictions pointed to slight headwind, no uneventful weather and with conditions improving as the day wore on. As it turned out however, the opposite happened; the headwind strengthened and cloud cover increased to 97%. It is surmised that a large percentage of the birds were forced off-course by the wind and that many were trapped behind the N-S mountain ranges. The majority of the birds eventually reached their lofts but many were lost, presumably trapping in strange lofts from where they could not - or were not willing – to return home.

In retrospect the organizers have felt that if the race had been reduced by 50 or 60 km, the 30 prize-positions would have been filled on the first day and many more competitors would have had birds home. Which would have resulted in a nicer outcome for all and would not have had major stress effect on the yearlings.

With the above in mind the organizing committee has - for next year - decided to stay with the direction of the race but to reduce the distance to approximately 500km. The race will therefore again take place on Women’s day which next year falls on Tuesday, but liberation will be from the nearest suitable site on the Calvinia-Kenhardt route, at a spot approximately 500km from Somerset West.

The auction date for next year’s bunch of youngsters has been set for 31st October 2010 and prospective breeders are reminded that the stock birds must be paired up now so that the babies will be ready at auction time. Whilst I am on the subject of breeders; Does anyone realize that this race is the only one where a breeder stands to share in the prize money of R100 000,00 or more, merely by donating youngsters to the auction? That it does not cost any breeder a cent in entry fees? (If one should buy your own birds that increases to R200 000,00). All you have to do is send the birds!! What other race offers this?

The prize-giving for this year’s race takes place on Sunday 29th August i.e. in less than two weeks from now, at the Parow Golf Club (same venue as last year) but this year will be a midday affair. We will gather at 11:30 for 12:00 and will continue through to 16:00 – ideally timed to tend to your birds at home before and after the party. Last year the evening was a great success and this year promises to be even better. We hope to have our chief patron Andre Carelsen there again and in addition Mark Kitchenbrand – from Birdy fame – will be there to tell us all about his vision for pigeon racing as well as answering all your Birdy-related questions.

This a day especially devoted to our ladies so bring along your loved ones and expose them to another side of pigeon racing. Tickets for the day’s event are at R100,00 pp and can be booked by phoning Lou de Jager at 083 442 4903.

Be sure to be there.

With Best Regards
Dr Wim Peters
Ch; SWICC.

Dates to note.
1. Pairing up for auction; Now!
2. Prize-giving at Parow Golf Club; 29th August
3. Auction date; 31st October 2010
4. Next year’s Classic race; 9th August 2011