Dark Days
Dear Moledo Pigeons Races Friends,
Even before we know the final result of the Alvaiazere race, held on the 25th May, we feel the responsibility and the duty to write to everyone who has supported us over the years.
We are aware that these words do not cure what happened or make the lost pigeons return, but it is the least we can do to somehow reach all of you.
The pigeons seemed prepared for another stage and the day before yesterday, 24/05, we started to basket late, after 20hrs, to avoid the high temperatures.
The truck left the loft close to 23hrs and immediately went to the place of release, where it arrived around 04hrs. Immediately, the drinkers were filled and pigeons drank what they wanted to. Water was available until departure time.
At 03hrs30, two of our collaborators left by car and made the journey in about two hours. On the way, they found some spots of fog about 50 Kms from the releasing point. When arrived, they noticed some dark spots and clouds and that was the main reason they delayed the release for around 45 minutes. At 07h15 the release was made and the video that we already had the opportunity to publish on our Facebook page was also made.
The weather forecasts pointed to areas of poor visibility on the coast, in a section of about 50/60 km. Alvaiazere is located in a central / interior area and we thought that flight course would be safe.
The pigeons came out well, flew high and in two minutes disappeared from the horizon.
We started our own return and after about 20 km, we started to notice some low fog spots, alternating with more luminous areas. During 100/110 km it was a constant.
We knew that the race would be selective because there would be head wind and that the temperatures would be high (between 25 and 30º Celsius).
We believe that this was the biggest problem…. A natural wall that prevented the return of our athletes.
The first pigeons to reach the loft did an average speed of 1186 m / m, which we consider good. However, the minutes started to pass and the concern grew up.
The pigeons were arriving in physical conditions to resist the natural harshness of the north, but nothing predicted this outcome in the late afternoon.
Nothing we may write works as a justification or explanation. However, we manage a recent business that we want to last for many years, we are also pigeon fanciers, we think we have experience but at the end we were defeated by one or more factors that made this day, a day that make us think that we have to eventually change the line of flight and turn totally to east direction, escaping that way the morning fogs, the harsh north wind and, essentially GET YOUR TRUST, AGAIN!
At this point, it may not be too worthful , but we are already thinking about a set of future strategies that we think may finish with many failures, that protect pigeons and, above all, that do not defraud all of you who have trusted in our project.
Very soon, we will announce our plan of action for the future which will include extra ideas for the current participants of the Moledo Yearlings Championship 2020.
We are speechless! Nobody deserved this day ... neither the pigeons nor you!!!
Please try to apologise us!..... We have no more words of comfort….. we failed you !!!
A big hug from the North,
Yours trully,
Moledo Pigeons Races
