Why PIPA's Confirmation of Unfairness in Pigeon Racing is a Wake-up Call for the Industry?
- Koot van der Walt
- Jan 21, 2024
- 2 min read
With the arrival of modern electronic technologies and the internet, it has never been more precise; the Racing Pigeons sport can no longer be just measured and adjudicated by the highest velocity alone. The two major factors with the most influence on the current result are:
1. Wind direction.
A robust westerly head or tailwind should favour the lofts on the east, not so? Yes, but it can be counteracted by the following;
2. “Pull”
Of the majority, birds to the centre or the west. It is a known fact that the Far East Rand of Gauteng, for some unknown reason, has never really produced a GPU or the old THU all-bird champion, yet when strong fanciers move from Springs to Boksburg, they do reach that goal. In the late sixties, this fact was already the reason that the OERF was established on the Far East Rand. The same occurrence was experienced on the West Rand, where pigeon fanciers were affected worse due to the prevailing and majority North-west winds experienced during the winter months and the racing season.
It has also never been possible with just the “best velocity” results to determine a provincial, let alone a National Champion Loft; there were simply too many variables to consider. Not even the Gauteng Combine succeeded, and in fact, it confirmed the above.
UNFAIR, NOT SO ANY MORE
Loft Grouping, or Loft score as it will be known in the future, with its unique catchphrase
“..if one bird could be in a specific area, theoretically it was possible for all pigeons to have performed the same”
Has developed the ultimate measuring tool
By using the net-flying-time of the “MARKER.” (Highest velocity in a club) Of every club or area and multiplying it with the speed of the measured competitor, it is now possible to determine the distance the measured bird would have achieved in the same net-flying time. The difference is the distance that the measured bird was behind the MARKER. By selecting the average distance lost of the first four birds of each loft and comparing that result to a provincial and National competition, all the variables are removed from the final results.
For the sceptics who might think that the weaker clubs are at an advantage or perhaps at a disadvantage, do yourself a favour and download the OLG app from the internet and start comparing the so-called “Platteland se Kokelolieties” or other clubs that you might think is inferior competition. You will soon find out; that if your loft is in-form, you will time your birds in one after the other, but if your “Grouping” is high, your loft is out-of-form.
There is no such thing as an inferior winner, so therefore you will never have a low “Marker.”
Like any other bird species, Pigeons flock together, and racing pigeons do not “race” to get ahead of the competition. Good racing pigeons have more stamina to maintain the same velocity over a more extended period. They follow the shortest route home, avoiding danger and other obstacles on their way home.
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