Home 

 Diary

 The Course

 Overall Results 

Race Reports

Le Tour Des Maritimes Invitational Testing Station

 2008 Summary

 The Challenge

Le Tour Des Maritime Invitational Testing Station (LTTS) is a series of 9 races totaling almost 2500 km over one of the most challenging courses in Canada.  It is mostly a head wind course and because of the nature of the geography for the last 3 races, the birds, unless they fly over water have to fly considerably further than they are credited.  Just flying all 9 races and arriving home is an accomplishment.  Flying all races in race time can be best described as an outstanding achievement. 

Due to unsettled weather conditions this summer, this year's LTTS series was probably the toughest. The birds flew 9 races but a 107 km race was not timed because of a clocking problem. 

2008 Facts

- 139 entries, 118 began racing and 32 birds flew the series in race time

- birds received no medication until training began

- birds were flown on the light system

- birds were normally only exercised in the morning for approximately 1 hour

- birds received 8 training tosses in 8 days before racing began at 107 km

- once racing began the birds received no training but their 1 hour daily exercise

- birds flew 9(8 clocked) races totaling 2470 km during a period of 8 weeks

- 36 out of 47 birds (76.6%) flew 450 km on the day.  Returns in race time were 40/47 = 85%

- 32/118 (27.1%) that started racing completed the series in race time.

- this is a predominantly head wind course, the prevailing winds are from the NW

- the birds had to fly in strong wind conditions and in rain several times

- flying velocities ranged from 641 m/m to 1271 m/m.  Winner flew an average of 894.4 m/m