MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

MIKE LAKIN

Fougeres - The Facts

Following the events over the weekend of the 14th and 15th June with regard to the Midlands National Flying Club’s Fougeres race, I wish to present members with The Facts.

First of all our decision to hold the birds over on the Saturday, which in the light of the poor returns suffered by many organisations racing from France that day surely vindicates the Club’s decision. Whilst I know that a few liberations enjoyed a reasonable race, most had a very poor one with heavy losses. The reason that we held was on the advice of our three weather advisors who are all professional people who earn their living from providing weather forecasts for important sports events etc.

All three stated that to liberate in the time slot which the MNFC had, and please remember that we have members flying in excess of 400 miles, would be a huge gamble as there were thunder storms on the Cherbourg Peninsula and the localised heavy rain and atmospheric conditions would be a big handicap to a successful race. As the MNFC aren’t in the gambling business we followed their advice and held.

Sunday’s forecast was much more promising as can be seen by the short weather report that accompanies this piece. Unfortunately the weather in Northern England especially proved not to be accurate with low cloud and drizzle in many areas. What I should like to point out is that a forecast is exactly that, a forecast of what is likely to happen and occasionally even the best can get it wrong. A forecast can never be ‘cast in stone’ and this turned out to be case on Sunday with the weather in England not proving to be as was predicted.

The big thing that must not be overlooked was the wind direction and as all experienced pigeon fanciers will know, 90% of pigeons hate to fly in North East winds, especially when they must fly over the channel. I firmly believe this and the very important fact that the birds have been prepared this season on a ‘diet’ of 60 mile an hour ‘blow homes’. I am sure that had these earlier races been more testing with longer times on the wing then more birds would have been better prepared and more successful on Sunday.

I do hope that this short piece ends all of the ‘conspiracy’ theories that are being banded about by a few misguided people. Believe me, as a North Western based member I would never be party to ‘holding’ if the weather was fit to liberate.

Weather report:

FOUGERES RACE, SUN 15 JUNE 2014:

STATUS: GREEN

Overview: The whole track is in a stable NE airstream behind the frontal zone of yesterday/this morning.

Flight: At liberation at 0600 hours I would expect conditions to be dry and fine. Sun on basket. The winds will be from the northeast 5-10mph. Air temps will be circa 12 deg C. with moderate humidity. As the birds fly north, expect the fine weather to persist with good visibility.

Conclusion: Green light.

Recommendation: Go.

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