On Saturday, 06.30.2019 total: 16,051 pigeons from Belgium (7,312), Netherlands (4,128), France (2,997), England (448), Luxenbourg (36) and Germany (1130) for the most prestigious air race each year, basketed from the Catalan capital Barcelona. These were based on the total number 344 pigeons and Germany 9 pigeons more than last year, which the interest in this flight clearly demonstrates, however, the decline in grower numbers is noticeable here, because from 2015 to date, there are still 3,032 pigeons Total and Germany 165 pigeons less.
This flight is organized every year by the Center Curreghem from Belgium, who is responsible for international flights.
The been liberated in Barcelona took place on Friday, 07/05/2019 at 9:50 pm approx. 23 degrees with slightly rotating Northeast, Northwest winds and blue skies. The Belgian philosophy is that if possible no dove on the first day reached their home blow, but which also does not always work, so as to allow any opportunities for all distances.
The first reported dove internationally could km at a distance of 944 = 944.61 Flgm./min on Saturday to 11:06:59 PM. be stated in Belgium. By the initial reports, mostly seen from Auflaßplatz left side, one could assume that the German colleagues would be found regarding the winner in the Saarland.
So it proved. The first German pigeon was on Saturday to 10:54: 20:00 = 847.79 Flgm./min. at a distance of 962,428 kilometers in Walsheim at SG Thomann Spitzbarth stated and be reported.

This means next to the National victory and 1st place in zones 1 and as icing on the cake to 7e international against 16,051 pigeons! Simultaneously "Golden Gloria" is likely to perpetuate the females in the international price list also among the top. In addition to the national 1e could be expelled national 100 nor the 18e, 26e, 48e, 63e and 93e place in the TOP and this case, one and all with females!

The National Winner
The winning community consists of Wolfgang Thomann (61), a nurse who is still working, and Kurt Spitzbarth from Walsheim, who unfortunately died much too early (2011). Walsheim is a district of Gersheim in the Saarland district of Saarpfalz in the district of Homburg/Saar and has around 1,000 inhabitants. The fact that this SG is one of the very successful ones of ARGE Euskirchen shows us the fact that this victory is the 4th national victory (3x Marseille - 1 x Barcelona) and has already been proven nationally in 2019, among other things, Pau 11/7 can be. At Barcelona it was 12/8 national.
At the National winner is the little bitch 0709-17-15, an expressive blue pike-hen, which was marked with the name "Golden Gloria". Their track record is impressive: 1e national Barcelona `19 - 12th national Marseille females '18 - 22e national Marseille '18 - '17 48e Langres - 108e international Bordeaux '18 and '18 166e Langres.

The fact that the father "Son Alter Fahler" already has the 1st nat. Barcelona ´19 and the 1e nat. Barcelona ´17 can prove as offspring. He is in turn a grandson of the "First National", the 1e nat. Ace pigeon 1998 with a.o. the 12e nat. Barcelona vs. 3,273 pigeons. The mother "daughter Golden Glory" is a daughter of "Golden Glory" (1st intern. Ace pigeon Marathon '11 - 1st ace pigeon intern. flights) from the international Spitzschlag Kipp and Sons from Althornbach. In addition to "Golden Glory" we also find the "Barcelona King" or "Candy" (21e nat. Narbonne '11 against 4,431 pigeons) in their ancestors. So everything is the old line from Thomann with the successful line from Kipp + Söhne. Here the success for the long distance is actually inevitable!
Here, long-distance is the top priority. Here you will only find pigeons that also cover the long distances and flying meters by up to 1,100 flgm./min. can successfully cope. So you had years ago once z. B. a pigeon of a very successful pedigree, which are actually intended for the "normal" RV program introduced into the stock to possibly. also to promote the speed of the inventory. In the first year, flights with a flight meter count of around 1,300 flgm./min. be successfully completed. In the second year with flights around 1,000 flgm./min. these pigeons were no longer to be found! So the pigeon that we bought had to leave the stock!
The pigeons are in a garden loft belonging to the Punt company in the Thomann family's home garden in Walsheim im Talweg. The relatively small long-distance fleet is managed here in a practical manner and without a lot of "bells and whistles". Only compulsory vaccinations, no further examinations, or additional medical products.

Feeding
For several years, people have relied on the mixture No. 193 "Premium Power Non Stop" from Vanrobaeys for the feed, which was developed in cooperation with ARGE comrade-in-arms Friedhelm Menne from Hamminkeln (Barcelona '19 = 5e, 6e, 7e, 8e Zone 3) was developed. This is a compilation of 27 high-quality individual seeds. This mixture is supplemented with a "normal" Mauser mixture (Vanrobaeys Exclusive Mauser No. 42) as required. In addition, there is an additional mixture of oat flakes and seeds (Vanrobaeys No. 74) that they have put together themselves, as well as food-grade peeled peanuts as treats, which are fed to the full on the day of the assignment.
Wolfgang Thomann: "All pigeons get this mixture regardless of the situation or past or upcoming flight. In my opinion, this mixture contains everything a pigeon needs. When you use it, you sometimes think the pigeons are too light, but that's not the case. Most of the time they come home, even on longer routes, and give the impression as if they had been abandoned on a relatively short route! The pigeons are always round and light and in top condition!”
The daily fresh addition of minerals is absolutely necessary for Wolfgang. Here, different products (Vanrobaey's Super Grit Mix, red stone, stomach stones, grit and feed lime) are mixed together and sprinkled on the pigeons' floor.
As a supplement, you can actually only find a powder based on magnesium, calcium and amino acids. This for faster regeneration after a long-distance flight. Every now and then there is a herbal mix about the feed. Wolfgang: "I've tried a lot, but have strayed from it since I couldn't find a positive reaction!" There is actually everything. It is important here that the behavior of the pigeons in relation to the intake of feed and water is in the foreground. Mix # 192 is then replaced with # 186 "Premium Power Mauser" while moulting.

Because here in Saarland, the population has increased in birds of prey, so-called "partisans" are grown in each year, which will then provide compensation.
In preparation for this Barcelona flight Wolfgang had this year carried out a different approach than in recent years. The pigeons arrived in the evening, the day together before the actual basketing. After about an hour bath water was provided in the upstream aviary. After that, the pigeons were zurückgeordert back into the beat and it was had waited until quiet again. After some time, was again separated and fed. On the assignment, the partners were no longer shown. So the pigeons were then absolutely calm and balanced brought to site.
By the way, "Golden Gloria" was actually intended for another international flight of 2019. After careful consideration the new premises will however be the Zuchtsachlag, because one wants to lose such a pigeon is not responsible!

The 10 Commandments (Philosophy) by Wolfgang Thomann:
1. Does stretching pigeon must always be in "clear mind".
2. Supplements or adjuncts are added as little as possible so as not to affect the eating and drinking habits, but rather to promote.
3. The orientation, the physical training must already be trained extensively with the youngsters.
4. A sick dove is taken immediately from the stock, because here the immune system has failed.
5. A hard, performance-based selection.
6. Each year, new product launches, to consolidate the stock.
7. A varied mineral supply.
8. Through unconventional attitude, strengthen the immune system.
9. The pigeons must be required to show their true strength.
10. Always high quality, variety of delicious food.
Through the impressions it can be expected that in time absehbarere another top position is expected at national long distance level !!