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.)
An SCMDPR helper waits for the formalities to be completed before the pigeons are removed from the race transport vehicle - aka the "pigeon bus" - and placed within the basketing area.
Corrie Naudé dries his hands with cornflour before handling the pigeons during the basketing.
Watch two videos of the basketing:
A basket containing 19 SCMDPR pigeons is moved from the race transport vehicle to the basketing area:
A pigeon is taken through the basketing process, having its orignal covering bracelet removed, its number read, recorded and recovered with a new bracelet, its feather stamped - and then back into the basket!
