Sprint Champions
The Sprint Champion is determined by the racer flying the first 5 races, a total of 1100 km (almost 700 miles) in the least total time. After a very challenging training schedule that included unexpected 5 and 6 hour flights from short distances and more than usual losses, I was quite concerned about the mental preparation of the birds to begin racing. Having 50 and 60 birds in a drop from these tosses indicated that they were in the condition for the Le Tour series and one could make the argument that they flew the equivalent of two 300 km races before the series even began. Eventually the birds responded remarkably well and have preformed better than any other year to this point. No doubt the quality of the birds entered and being blessed with good weather has been a contributing factor.
Going into the last race of the sprint series the first 60 birds were separated by a mere 10 minutes in total time. The team of Silvio Mattacchione and Ali Stephen with CU 15156 held an 11 second lead over the team of Voyo Radoman and Mike Van der Jagt with ORI 0031. There were only 32 seconds separating the top 5 birds. Another 5 hour race and it would surely end in a trapping duel.
When the first group appeared I ran it to the loft to watch the racers trap. The big checker cock ORI 0031 was the first to come through the tunnel and 3 others quickly followed before the blue slate CU 14156 pushed his head through the bobs 6 seconds later and dropped in. He had 11 seconds to spare but trapped in 5 seconds behind the leader to win the Sprint Championship. CU 14156 trapped in the top 10 in all 5 races. He trapped 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 10th and 5th.
Congratulations go out to Silvio Mattacchione and Ali Stephen for winning the Sprint Championship and all others who did well.
CU 15156 ORI 0031 MIRPC 0277 Man 0012 MJ 2004 M 2030
|
1 |
CU 15156 |
Silvio/Ali |
17:06:08 |
11 |
S/C 0303 |
Broere, R |
17:09:43 |
|
2 |
ORI 0031 |
Radoman/Vjagt |
17:06:13 |
12 |
CU 24526 |
White, Ed |
17:10:12 |
|
3 |
MIRPC 0277 |
Mawbey, J |
17:07:37 |
13 |
CU 24569 |
Martino, J |
17:10:33 |
|
4 |
Man 0012 |
Murray, C |
17:07:44 |
14 |
NRBC 4632 |
Ball, K |
17:11:01 |
|
5 |
MJ 2004 |
Harris, B |
17:08:14 |
15 |
S/C 0562 |
Nigh, B |
17:11:12 |
|
6 |
MJ 2030 |
Harris, B |
17:08:51 |
16 |
CU 24553 |
Stephen, A |
17:11:48 |
|
7 |
CU 10920 |
Boudreau, L |
17:09:07 |
17 |
CU 10911 |
Trites, P |
17:11:55 |
|
8 |
CU 24502 |
Gavel, D |
17:09:26 |
18 |
CU 24524 |
Gavel, D |
17:12:46 |
|
9 |
S/C 0426 |
Maarse, J |
17:09:36 |
19 |
CU 24532 |
White, Ed |
17:12:50 |
|
10 |
Man 0003 |
Murray, C |
17:09:37 |
20 |
CU 24520 |
Wilford, R |
17:13:03 |
All birds shipped to the 5 races are accounted for except for one that was lost around the loft to a hawk I suspect. Several injured entries should be ready to be shipped to the next race, only one will be held back. Also 2 late arrivals from the tough training tosses will be fit to go. They have been trained up to 50 miles with my late breds. Ironically, presently there are more racers on the team than began the race series.