Zandy Meyer in action: before the basketing began, Race Director Zandy Meyer introduced the auditors and the veterinarian who supervised during the process.
Earlier, he talked up the race: the SCMDPR received a record number of entries in 2009 – despite it's supposedly being a recessionary year – with over 5600 pigeons received at the start of the year.
The majority of the flying athletes will compete in this year's race: 168 baskets were processed today, containing 19 pigeons each, for a grand total of 3192 competitors set for liberation on Saturday. (Note: after the basketing, the final number is 3155 .) |