Young bird racing and losses

[Andy]

It has been a difficult couple of years with everything that’s been going on. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wasn’t going to race any youngsters this year. They are heavy in the moult but looking great. I see that losses have been quite bad this year. Racing youngsters into headwinds that are heavy in the moult is a spell for disaster and proves nothing. It seems from the numbers being sent that either a lot of fanciers aren’t racing or have been wiped out. Last weekend was the only race that I would have sent to. It was from Ilkeston 138 miles north. It would have been with the CSCFC and the BBC. I see in my section with the CSCFC in the young birds only 8 members sent 107 birds. 7 of the 8 timed in, 10 birds verified, with the first bird doing 1018 ypm and the 10th only doing 566 ypm. In the any age race 2 members sent 37 birds. Only 3 were verified. If I had sent with the BBC I would have been the only member to do so in both the YB and AA races. These are national races so shows how few members are racing.
The BICC were racing south from Guernsey but weren’t much better supported. Although a fresh SW wind would have put many off over this side of the country. Many top names didn’t send. In the YB section 7 members sent 134 birds. All 7 verified a first arrival but the last one wasn’t until the next morning doing just 164 ypm. In the AA race 5 members sent 31 birds. All 5 verified but there was very big gaps with 3 hours between the first and fifth from under 130 miles. Phil was second section with his only entry so done well to him.
I’m quite happy not to have sent and will just let them mature until next year.

[Buster121]

Wise choice me thinks, losses are very heavy again this year and velocities are much lower with very big gaps between birds something not right at all, cannot all be down to weather etc

Well done Phil