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Pau
Pau starts the season off and offers arguably the least testing terrain. Setting off from the foothills at an altitude of about 600ft above sea level very little of the land before them, on a direct route, rises above 1,000 ft. This is very similar to the later race from close by Tarbes.
Looking at the panoramic view from this release point, below, you can see a red line that marks the direction of London. The whole landscape, from West to East, is low and open while behind, to the South, a very different picture with the Pyraneas presenting the backdrop to this liberation.
Pau starts the season off and offers arguably the least testing terrain. Setting off from the foothills at an altitude of about 600ft above sea level very little of the land before them, on a direct route, rises above 1,000 ft. This is very similar to the later race from close by Tarbes.
Looking at the panoramic view from this release point, below, you can see a red line that marks the direction of London. The whole landscape, from West to East, is low and open while behind, to the South, a very different picture with the Pyraneas presenting the backdrop to this liberation.
Below you can see the height of the land, on a direct route from Pau to London, that the pigeons have to negotiate. Rarely does it rise above 1,000 feet. At what height the pigeons will fly will rely on many factors, mainly air currents and wind, but the land also plays its part. Many believe that pigeons generally fly at or below 500 ft but they can reach greater heights should they wish. So 1,000 ft will present no problem in itself to the pigeons.
Pau International 2008
Pau is the first International race of the big five (Pau - Barcelona - Tarbes - Marseilles and Perpignan) it's pretty early in the year - too early for some but nevertheless it's one that counts high in the international calendar. A few years ago entry was restricted to five birds per member they have now slightly relaxed the five per member entry limit - you can now send seven birds so strict selection is still a key feature of the Pau race. Last year Dutchman Gerard Van Tuyl of Hellouw won the race outright and Raymond Hermes from Germany won the hens section. No doubt these two well known International fanciers will be trying once more but whether the wind or conditions on the day favour them remains to be seen. If the wind remains in the West - Germany should have a great chance.
Over the last few years the French have done well Frank Duquesnoy of Outreau 2004 - another Frenchman, Guy Flandrin of Helfaut 2005 - Rutz and son of Germany 2006 and Gerard Van Tuyl last year so it appears the Belgians are missing out at this race of late - perhaps it will be their turn this year. In 2001 Jos Rombouts from Antwerp province won it and we all remember the Belgian pigeon - "Peter Pau" - Silvere Toye's own Pau International winner that he sold to Louis Massarella so they have a good chance if the conditions are right.
John Clements
Pau is the first International race of the big five (Pau - Barcelona - Tarbes - Marseilles and Perpignan) it's pretty early in the year - too early for some but nevertheless it's one that counts high in the international calendar. A few years ago entry was restricted to five birds per member they have now slightly relaxed the five per member entry limit - you can now send seven birds so strict selection is still a key feature of the Pau race. Last year Dutchman Gerard Van Tuyl of Hellouw won the race outright and Raymond Hermes from Germany won the hens section. No doubt these two well known International fanciers will be trying once more but whether the wind or conditions on the day favour them remains to be seen. If the wind remains in the West - Germany should have a great chance.
Over the last few years the French have done well Frank Duquesnoy of Outreau 2004 - another Frenchman, Guy Flandrin of Helfaut 2005 - Rutz and son of Germany 2006 and Gerard Van Tuyl last year so it appears the Belgians are missing out at this race of late - perhaps it will be their turn this year. In 2001 Jos Rombouts from Antwerp province won it and we all remember the Belgian pigeon - "Peter Pau" - Silvere Toye's own Pau International winner that he sold to Louis Massarella so they have a good chance if the conditions are right.
John Clements
