Racer Misses Out On Big Purse

[TAWhatley]

http://www.saanichnews.com/portals-c...d=368404&more=

Saanich pigeon flies away home to glory

By Steve Hummell
Special to the Saanich News

Bjorn Bjornson might have listened to his instinct instead of his chartered accountant's logic when choosing the pigeons to wager his money on Saturday's million dollar pigeon race at Sun City, South Africa. The 66-year-old Saanich chartered accountant could have won $3,500 U.S. after "Iron Lady" returned from the 632-km race in 21st, out of 2,642 pigeons.
Yet, while Bjornson initially decided to "activate" Iron Lady by paying the $1,000 U.S. entry fee, he changed his mind and ended up winning nothing but glory.
"My rational accountancy training took over and it shouldn't have," Bjornson said Saturday after seeing the race results on the Internet.
"In retrospect, I should have followed my instinct, which told me to put money on that hen, but the glory is worth as much as the missed prize money."
Each team competing in the world's most lucrative and prestigious pigeon race at the resort city was comprised of a designated race bird and two reserves. The reserves could not win purses or prizes until entry fees were paid. Bjornson's designated bird was "Mr. Action," which returned in 486th place.
"Ironman," the third team pigeon, returned in 175th position but was also an undesignated reserve bird. Approximately one hour and 40 minutes separated "Iron Lady" from the winning pigeon.
Yet Bjornson wasn't out as much as the Croatian owners of "Yellow Brewers" who came home first but lost the purse because the $1,000 entry fee was not paid.
First place, and $200,000 U.S. went to Desert View Lofts, owners of the U.S. pigeon, "Four Starzzz Dream."
Bjornson's was one of only 28 birds that overcame headwinds, thunderstorms and high humidity to return on race day.
The remaining pigeons began arriving at the race loft early Sunday.
Sun City, near Johannesburg, is 10 hours ahead of our time zone.
In homing pigeon racing, the birds are taken to a "liberation point," equal to the race distance, where they are released to return to the race loft.
Race officials in South Africa train and look after the pigeons and run the races, allowing the owners to remain at home to keep track.
Bjornson shared another team with Saanich resident Hardeep Sahota, a 35-year-old Empress Hotel bell man.
"Blue Chips," the designated bird and sole survivor of that team, returned Sunday in 90th position. Although "Iron Lady" was disqualified, she and "Blue Chips" were the first and second of the Canadian entries to finish the race.
Sahota said he was proud of his and Bjornson's standing at the international venue, which attracted the pigeon racing elite from 30 countries.
"Competing against the world - we didn't do bad at all," Sahota said.
Similarly, Bjornson believes the boost to their reputations as breeders of tough racing pigeons will offset any losses of prize money.
"The whole point is you get recognized in the international arena," Bjornson said. "These are the world's best pigeons entered into one race and I have a great sense of pride to compete with the big names in the sport and do well. And I share the victory with Hardeep because he was instrumental in the breeding of Iron Lady."
Ironically, "Iron Lady's" sire was a pigeon Bjornson got from Sahota and named "Hardeep."
That pigeon became a foundation breeding cock in Bjornson's loft.
The pair's remaining pigeons will be sold at auction and the profits split with the race organization.
About 2,500 pigeons were lost during the series of lead-up races and training flights that started last November. As of Monday, only 680 of the 2,640 pigeons that started the final race had returned. Hundredths of seconds often separate race winners, which are timed electronically as they enter the loft.
During the races, participants won cars, gold pendants and cash prizes valued at $1 million U.S.
Sahota and Bjornson plan to enter again next year.
There are some 30 pigeon racers on the Island, and 1,800 Canada-wide.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

First place, and $200,000 U.S. went to Desert View Lofts, owners of the U.S. pigeon, "Four Starzzz Dream."

Thanks for the post. Now let's see, how many pounds of pigeon feed can you get for $200,000

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by SmithFamilyLoft

Now let's see, how many pounds of pigeon feed can you get for $200,000

Bunches, Warren, and then even more bunches .. I thought when I read this about playing the same lottery numbers for years and then getting fed up .. sure enough .. that would be when the numbers came up. These guys must have been absolutey SICK when they found out their birds came in and they didn't have any money on them.

Also interesting that people from all over the world would go to South Africa to race their birds ..

Terry

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Terry,

Just a point of interest, you don't have to go to Sun City in Africa to participate in this race. You send your young birds to this "One Loft" race, and then they are trained to this loft. This race is open to anyone who has the entry fee.

If you think in terms of horses, then this is the Kentucky Derby of Racing pigeons. I have attached a web site about this famous race.

http://www.scmdpr.com/index.php?op=gen&act=hist

[TAWhatley]

Warren,

Thanks for this info .. think I will stick with my lottery tickets .. still .. this is just amazing! I did listen to the Pigeon Radio show where the Vegas Classic guy was on .. also amazing to me ..

I do understand it now .. the fancier sends the birds .. they are trained in the area .. and then the race. Still amazing to me that an American bird won.

Terry