Racing Pigeon Post
The content (content being images, text, sound and video files, programmes and scripts) of this website is copyright of Racing Pigeon Post. All rights expressly reserved.
The Races.
Barcelona 2009
If the entry figures shown on PIPA are correct:-
Belgium 13,583, Netherlands 8,042 , England 868, Luxembourg 95, Poland 523, France 2,516 and Germany 2,003 making a TOTAL of 27,630
then this represents a significant rise over recent years, shown in the figures from the Cureghem Centre below. Of course a large part of the rise in the British entry is because the British Barcelona Club, where 151 members sent 474 pigeons, are also participating in the race this year but part probably reflects that small but significantly growing interest within the UK in International racing. Let us hope the rise in numbers brings a proportionate improvement in the result.
Belgium 13,583, Netherlands 8,042 , England 868, Luxembourg 95, Poland 523, France 2,516 and Germany 2,003 making a TOTAL of 27,630
then this represents a significant rise over recent years, shown in the figures from the Cureghem Centre below. Of course a large part of the rise in the British entry is because the British Barcelona Club, where 151 members sent 474 pigeons, are also participating in the race this year but part probably reflects that small but significantly growing interest within the UK in International racing. Let us hope the rise in numbers brings a proportionate improvement in the result.
On Friday 3rd July 2009 the Barcelona pigeons were liberated at 0945 (0845UK) into what was described as almost no wind.
Steve Appleby’s weather forecast, made primarily for the NFC Tarbes race, shows the prospects to be quite good.
WEATHER PIGEON LINE OF FLIGHT WEATHER
Conclusions arrived at after examining the various data early this morning is that the NFC race from Tarbes can proceed. Obviously the conditions at the race point will have to be taken into consideration first. During the night a weather front carrying some heavy rain has moved across southern England and the channel from the west in an eastwards direction. At 04:00 hours it was positioned over the east end of the channel. This front will continue moving eastwards clearing the flight path for pigeons racing from France. Also a continuation of the same weather front is affecting the west side of England. This poor weather will also move away eastwards over the north sea by this evening. The weather following on behind this front will be fresher as the temperatures will drop.
Channel
Weather : Some cloudier spells, especially this morning, otherwise becoming fair with sunny periods.
Max : 22 °C
Visibility : Good, perhaps locally moderate at first.
Wind : West to Southwest light force 3 to moderate force 4, decreasing light force 2 to 3 this afternoon
Further observations over France indicate that conditions are good. Generally conditions affecting the Tarbes race point are not good which is delaying liberation. Winds over southern and central France very light or variable from the north west. From northern France a south westerly will become available. The forecast for England on Saturday is good of broken cloud and sunshine. Winds over England southerly or south westerly.
Next update 16:30 this afternoon.
Confirmed by the wind and weather maps below:-
Steve Appleby’s weather forecast, made primarily for the NFC Tarbes race, shows the prospects to be quite good.
WEATHER PIGEON LINE OF FLIGHT WEATHER
Conclusions arrived at after examining the various data early this morning is that the NFC race from Tarbes can proceed. Obviously the conditions at the race point will have to be taken into consideration first. During the night a weather front carrying some heavy rain has moved across southern England and the channel from the west in an eastwards direction. At 04:00 hours it was positioned over the east end of the channel. This front will continue moving eastwards clearing the flight path for pigeons racing from France. Also a continuation of the same weather front is affecting the west side of England. This poor weather will also move away eastwards over the north sea by this evening. The weather following on behind this front will be fresher as the temperatures will drop.
Channel
Weather : Some cloudier spells, especially this morning, otherwise becoming fair with sunny periods.
Max : 22 °C
Visibility : Good, perhaps locally moderate at first.
Wind : West to Southwest light force 3 to moderate force 4, decreasing light force 2 to 3 this afternoon
Further observations over France indicate that conditions are good. Generally conditions affecting the Tarbes race point are not good which is delaying liberation. Winds over southern and central France very light or variable from the north west. From northern France a south westerly will become available. The forecast for England on Saturday is good of broken cloud and sunshine. Winds over England southerly or south westerly.
Next update 16:30 this afternoon.
Confirmed by the wind and weather maps below:-
Clearly, with such a late liberation and weather conditions as they were, there was no chance of a day pigeon, even to the shorter flyers, so Saturdays conditions were all important so what did Steve Appleby’s weather forecast have to say:-
WEATHER PIGEON LINE OF FLIGHT WEATHER
UPDATED SATURDAY 4TH JULY AT 08:00 HOURS.
A similar weather pattern today as yesterday is the forecast for northern France although there are variations. Dry with broken cloud and sunshine is the general weather pattern. Extensive cloud has moved over north western France which is not rain bearing but should break up and the morning progresses. This could possibly delay liberations until conditions are suitable from the north west of France. Winds will be southerly or south westerly over the channel but because they are so light variations will occur. Over England once again conditions will be good with some showery activity developing mainly affecting the west side of the country more specifically south Wales. The east side of England will remain dry all day. Winds over England mainly from the south or south west light in strength.
Channel
Weather : Rather cloudy with just the risk of a shower this morning mainly affecting the western side of the channel. Sunny periods developing.
Max : 24 °C
Visibility : Good.
Wind : Southerly or variable light F1 to 3.
WEATHER PIGEON LINE OF FLIGHT WEATHER
UPDATED SATURDAY 4TH JULY AT 08:00 HOURS.
A similar weather pattern today as yesterday is the forecast for northern France although there are variations. Dry with broken cloud and sunshine is the general weather pattern. Extensive cloud has moved over north western France which is not rain bearing but should break up and the morning progresses. This could possibly delay liberations until conditions are suitable from the north west of France. Winds will be southerly or south westerly over the channel but because they are so light variations will occur. Over England once again conditions will be good with some showery activity developing mainly affecting the west side of the country more specifically south Wales. The east side of England will remain dry all day. Winds over England mainly from the south or south west light in strength.
Channel
Weather : Rather cloudy with just the risk of a shower this morning mainly affecting the western side of the channel. Sunny periods developing.
Max : 24 °C
Visibility : Good.
Wind : Southerly or variable light F1 to 3.
There are two areas to identify on the above image. Firstly the area circled red shows some heavy cloud that is not rain bearing. Secondly the two yellow circles show some showery rain moving north eastwards.
Wind flow light with a southerly influence over the channel.
Generally the early times showing up on PIPA were of course from the shorter flyers but then came one from IJSSELSTEIN in the Netherlands to W. en M. VAN HOUTEN, who timed at 10.39.37 (9.39.37 UK) on a distance of 1205.325 producing a velocity of 1068.91 m/m., this was clearly an exceptional pigeon and finished provisionally 1st International.
The first British entry was timed at 11.38.36 by F & J Halstead Gillingham on a distance of 1120.005 (approx.) producing a velocity of 982.688. This is a fantastic result which should take I high International position. This pigeon was entered through the British Barcelona Club making a fitting response to the Clubs entry to this race
The first British entry was timed at 11.38.36 by F & J Halstead Gillingham on a distance of 1120.005 (approx.) producing a velocity of 982.688. This is a fantastic result which should take I high International position. This pigeon was entered through the British Barcelona Club making a fitting response to the Clubs entry to this race
Provisional Top 100 International
British Provisional
Netherlands Provisional
Germany Provisional
French Provisional