JUNE 2009 NEWSLETTER
The first race from Carrieton saw 323 birds entered, which were released at 10.00 am, along with 3443 SAHPA birds. The weather was not the best for our first race with patchy cloud and a few showers along the journey home. However, the leading birds with the help of a favourable light north-northwest wind managed to do a little over 1500mpm.
Belkena (Ken & Beryl Gutteridge) were the winners of the race in a tight finish from Casuarina Lofts (Janice Gorman) with Town & Country (Stephen Kearsey) third. Congratulations to the winners and all of the other prize winners. Returns from the race were extremely disappointing. Brian had given them plenty of tosses and fitness was not the reason for the poor returns. The birds looked in great health and condition on Friday when we basketed them. I have heard that many of the local flyers experienced ordinary returns with their young birds.
Our computer crashed on Friday afternoon shortly after we had completed the scanning of the birds for the race. With the help of a computer consultant the computer was fixed sufficiently to be able to get the Tipes System up and running in time to record the arrival of the birds. However, we were, and still are, unable to print/save/download the result. This is the reason we could not put the result onto the website on Saturday afternoon.
The second race is from Parachilna (approx 392 kms) on 4th July.
Registrations and deposits for the 2010 season are being taken. The entry fee is $1,100 with the deposit being $300. A registration form is attached for your use; please forward the completed form and deposit to the Treasurer. Current members have until 31st July to lodge their deposit to be assured of a spot for the 2010 season. After that date members are accepted on a first in basis.
APC Committee
Brian, Penny and Rolf