Hotspot 5 was staged today from 450 km (280 miles), which proved very difficult for the birds. There was a strong tailwind ahead of a cold front that resulted in very high velocities for early arrivals, many of which were tired on arrival. Later birds that stopped flying came back through the day in reasonably good condition but with about 50% still out by the evening of day one.
Races with high tailwinds pushing the birds are often very difficult because the birds have to flap hard to stay in the air otherwise they go down, unlike a moderate wind or headwind which results in slower velocities but is easier for the birds. We hope for reasonable returns tomorrow and Monday.
We will move activations for pigeons lost at Hotspot 5 over to their reserves on Tuesday 9th.
The training will be cut down in preparation for the final with 2 short tosses planned this week. One on Wednesday 10th and the last on Friday 12th. Both these tosses will be from 47 km and screened live. Late birds from Hotspot 5 will be held back if their condition is poor.
Basketing for the Final is on Wednesday 17th and the last time the pigeons will be out of the loft before this will be for the training toss on Friday 12th.
Reserve pigeons must be paid for by Saturday 13th. From Sunday 14th reserve pigeons will be up for sale on a first booked basis, which must be by email to admin.
All rights for activated birds by third parties will pass to the activator of the bird.
All un-paid for pigeons will have all details hidden and not be in the results of the Final Race.
Free entry credits for lost birds which will be due next year will be emailed out to fanciers on Tuesday 9th and fanciers can choose to use these free entry credits on For Sale birds or available reserves for this year’s final race if they want to, as opposed to receiving the credit next year.