Season to remember for pigeon racers
The 2017 season will be remembered for a number of reasons by members of the Brakpan Pigeon Racing Club.
Some fanciers in particular will cherish fond memories of this year’s stand-out moments.
Various members achieved success this season, on different levels.
For those not familiar with the sport, pigeon racing is tough and competitive, with variables out of the fancier’s control which can make the difference between success one week and failure the next.
The final two races of the season, Beaufort West (880km) and Three Sisters (810km), were to be flown on the same weekend.
At this stage three competitors, Cyril Jasper, Hennie du Plooy and Ken Pike, were vying to be crowned Brakpan’s club champion.
Everything depended on their performance in the last two races.
This year, for the first time in 20 years, the humble but exuberant Ken Pike claimed the title.
His emphatic win also included the classic races winner.
Pike achieved this sought-after triumph in the final race in style.
His pigeon not only arrived more than 54 minutes before the next pigeon, but also 22 minutes ahead of the next union pigeon.
And this with 1 700 pigeons competing on the day – truly a classic victory for the 2017 champion.
Other notable achievements from club members:
• Single bird points (Young Birds): Hennie du Plooy 318 points.
• All bird points (Young Birds): Dawid Pretorius 959 points.
• Single bird points (Old Birds): Ken Pike 481 points.
• All bird points (Old Birds): Cyril Jasper 1 374 points.
• Best Young Bird GPU (number 7227 Blue Barred Cock): Mark Viljoen 139 points.
• Best Old Bird GPU (number 4668 Blue Barred Cock): Cyril Jasper 215 points.
Top five positions in the club:
• Open series: 1 Ken Pike 481 points, 2 Cyril Jasper 470 points, 3 Hennie du Plooy 445 points, 4 LJ du Plooy 432 points, 5 Jooste Lofts 410 points.
• Young bird series: 1 Hennie du Plooy 318 points, 2 Mark Viljoen 307 points, 3 Dawid Pretorius 296 points, 4 Cyril Jasper 291 points, 5 LJ du Plooy 291 points.
Also read: Six-year-old set to soar in pigeon racing
Oval track racing finale set to be a thrilling affair
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