There are 15 clubs in Gauteng that jointly form the Transvaal Racing Pigeon Federation and there were 12 short-distance race events, 12 middle-distances races and 13 long-distance races held in the 2008 season. The shortest race was from Winburg, some 278km to Gauteng and the furthest was from Matjiesfontein in the Cape, about 1 060km. Fanciers were often caught off-guard to time their pigeons, due to the wind blowing from behind the birds, thus accelerating their returning speed.
Different points league categories Fanciers may opt to focus on scoring in as many categories of competition that their resources in terms of available time, team size and quality of pigeons allow them to. Often such fanciers are short-distance specialists and don’t care to be competitive elsewhere. Some fanciers also prefer the short races to devote more time to pursue other interests in the afternoons on Saturday, which is race day. Specialist long-distance fanciers own a flock of pigeons more capable over the long distance races. They only use the shorter races to prepare their pigeons for the longer races.
The challenge of the middle distances
The rising cost of pigeon racing compels fanciers to compete for some return on their investment. Most of the so-called “money races” are held over the middle distances, which makes them attractive. middle distances are also considered as the most competitive of the programme. – Thomas Smit ([email protected] or call (011) 680 4778)). |fw
