Nigel Pigeon Racing Club flies high
The Nigel Pigeon Racing Club flew from Noupoort covering a distance of around 600km.
On Saturday, August 6, members of the Nigel Racing Pigeon Club (NRPC) took part in the Noupoort Derby annual race for yearlings.
Around 200 birds from the club members took part in the derby and flew a distance of about 630km.
The winners of the day were Jakkals & Wolf (Wouter and Thinus Du Preez). Their birds achieved first, second and third place with the first placed bird reaching a velocity of about 1 253.24 meters per minute equivalent to 75km/hour.
Fourth place went to R&R Lofts (Rona Grundeling and Rob Lambie) whose bird reached a velocity of 1 245.07 meters per minute equivalent to 74km/hour.
“Racing pigeons can achieve up to 130km/hour depending on tailwinds or slower if they have headwinds,” said Roberto Lenci of the club.
The next races will be from Cradock and Britstown. Each Saturday is race day starting at the beginning of the season from 250km and ends progressively towards distances of 900km.”
Nigel Racing Pigeon Club was established in 2022. Racing started at the end of May and will conclude at the end of August.
“It is normally a winter sport,” Lenci said. “The NRPC falls into the Oos East Rand Federation (OERF) which consists of Nigel, Frankfort, Heidelberg, Springs and Brakpan. There are about 60 members who expand to Middleveld and GRPF all the way to Alberton to Pretoria which boasts about 200 members competing.
“OERF falls under SANPO (South African National Pigeon Organization) which reports to SASCOC and they represent/acknowledge us at the Olympics Games.
“Junior and Senior Springbok colours are awarded in this sport and our feathered friends receive gold, silver and bronze medals in various categories,” Lenci concluded.
For more information about the club, or to join, contact Lenci on 083 992 7682.
