Weather conditions have been a dominant factor throughout this event. At times incredibly hot and dry and then very wet and unsettled for prolonged periods. Forecasts for the race weekend were bleak at the proposed liberation site. The liberation point was shifted further west where the forecast were for a clear morning. Later afternoon thundershowers were expected with a fresh North Easterly wind. This head wind together with temperatures in the high twenties would provide ideal conditions to test the orientation, intelligence, courage and athletic ability of the contestants.

At 10:30 on Thursday loading of the pigeons began at the loft. The pigeons had had food and water at their disposal from early morning.

A large number of fanciers had come to the loft to witness the loading and enjoy a braai (Barbeque), tea, coffee and cold drinks. The whole basketing procedure is alcohol free and the object of the braai is to ensure that handlers are clear headed, well fed and up to the task of spending the 5 odd hours required to check and basket the estimated 3200 pigeons.

With loading completed, the transporter departed at 12:30 for the Super Bowl. After a briefing and introduction of the Auditors E. Coetzee and Associates and the Veterinarian Dr. Marthinus Hartman basketing commenced. Favourable compliments on the condition of the pigeons were well received by the loft trainers who had given their all over the past months caring and preparing the pigeons.

As each basket was completed it was placed on the stage in full view of all to ensure continued safeguarding of the entered pigeons. With water at their disposal and the pleasant conditions within the Super Bowl the pigeons relaxed while waiting to be loaded onto the transporter.

Even though every precaution is taken to ensure that everything balances it is still a bit nerve wracking waiting for the Auditor to give the all clear to load. Dr. Marthinus also had an easy day at the office in that only 2 pigeons were deemed unfit. This was something that pleased the inspectors from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who said they were pleased with their observations.

With the numbered wire rope seals intact, preventing access to the pigeons, they settled down for the night under the watchful eye of Sun City security guards in the air-conditioned Super Bowl.

At 03:30 the wakeup sounded and the convoy of the transporter in care of Roedolf and his assistants and the support vehicle consisting Corrie and Ryan, the cameraman, set off to Hopetown, 559 km as the pigeons fly, but considerably longer by road. First stop was at Bloemhof about halfway for a drink and an hours break from the journey and then straight through to Hopetown where the pigeons now enjoyed a feed and a drink before being bedded down for the night. With the morning star still bright in the sky they set off for the liberation site where the pigeons were again watered.

In bright sunshine and an already steady head wind blowing, the pigeons were set free for the 559 km journey back to Sun City for the ultimate test for supremacy. A clean break in the right direction meant that the pigeons were off to a good start. With the prospect of the odd shower and steady head wind it was anticipated that returns would be steady, favouring the brave.

Back at Sun City arrival times speculations varied from just before 15:00 to around the 16:00 hour mark. These were all thrown into a quandary as news came through about the Rustenburg (40 km from city) race from Christiana which is on the same direct route as Hopetown to Rustenburg and Sun City. Their pigeons took 6 hours and 1 minute to do the 315 km at a velocity of 872 metres/minute (945 yards/minute). At this speed the Sun City pigeons would arrive at 16:41! Believe it or not there were unbelievers who had taken this time as their prediction in the time pool.

A full hour on time and 88m/min better than the Rustenburg pigeons the first 3 pigeons arrived at 15:42 to record a velocity of 960,48 metres/minute(1040,5 yard/minute). There was massive excitement in the Super Bowl as Karl Klemens and his family had made the trip to Sun City for some relief from the bitter weather in Czech Republic to enjoy the sun and the race. Their excitement on seeing their name and the spontaneous applause they received was spine tingling.

The big Belgium group warmly applauded their hero Gaby Vandenanbele who finished 2nd closely followed by GermanAce Hardey Krueger in 3rd. Hardey had the pleasure of welcoming home his Hot Spot car winner, Dressage Diva, who finished out of the money, but safely back to it’s perch.

What was astounding was that amongst the front runners were 4 “defaulter pigeons”, pigeons sent but not paid, and 8 DQ pigeons, pigeons that prove that after all the training flights, any pigeon can perform on the day.

By nightfall 142 pigeons were home, testimony that the final was a real tester. As one fancier philosophically proclaimed, “If they could make it, why not the others”. By early the next day the 300 prize winners were home. Country wise the proudest must be the Southern African Country, Namibia, 4 sent, 2 in the money, just imagine if they sent 8! Of the 33 countries entered only 6 did not have one in the 300. Not by any means disgraced and as one of them said, “this is the Olympics, I will be back next year with bigger guns”. The Auction brought down the curtains on the 14th running of the SCMDPR. This was a lively affair presided over by Ireland’s Gerry McCourt and South Africa’s Tarryn Jordaan. From the pedigrees presented during the Auction one thing was abundantly clear, blue blood helps.

All that remains now are our thanks to being given the opportunity to train and care for your pigeons and our congratulations to the winners.