| Herman
Van Helmond - A Winner In Two Nations
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To
win 3 Nationals in Holland confirms a fancier
of greatness but to then domicile in Belgium and
win 3 Nationals there confirms the hand of genius.
And this genius was Herman Van Helmond, sometimes
referred to as 'The Flying Dutchman'.
Van
Helmond prior to 1968 won 1st National Orleans,
1st National Ruffec and 1st National Chateauroux
against the best of the Netherlands. Then upon
moving to the village of Vorselaar in Belgium
our subject planted roots in an area were the
favoured distances were short and middle. And
although not living in an area conducive to long
distance fanciers in due course Van Helmond won
1st National St.Vincent (hens), another 1st National
St.Vincent (hens), then 1st National Pau including
1st National Pau (hens). Fabulous racing in any
language.
This
including 14 years at the top of distance racing
surely places Van Helmond amongst the elite. Other
successes included 1st, 24th, 55th, and 147th
Barcelona in 1974. He also won the KBDB National
Champion of Long Distance in 1975. Followed in
1977 with the winning of the prestigious King
of Belgium Trophy, which is based upon nominating
10 pigeons in the Barcelona National. The winning
did not end there for the loft won the Brive National
in 1978 plus 6th National Pau and wins from Bordeaux
and Orleans. Van Helmond had other successes in
his pigeon racing career including 1st National
Barcelona (hens) in 1980, 1st National Pau and
2nd National St.Vincent (hens) in 1981.
The
base of the Van Helmond's were of Emiel Verhart
bloodlines and some direct Van Der Wegen. The
number one cock, a Verhart, was known as the '111'
and was a great producer.. Further inputs included
Delbar, Deny, Bostyn, Norman, Vereecke, Imbrecht,
Kempeneers, Van Hee and Jan Cool Aardens. No wonder
he was so successful but with this stock alone
one had no guarantee of success. That is why Herman
Van Helmond had what the Janssen Bros amongst
others had - that quality which is difficult to
define but like the spirit exists.
Herman
Van Helmond was unknown to me but a line in one
racing pigeon magazine initiated me on my research.
As a result I have encountered one of the greatest
of the sport of long distance pigeon racing.
by: Liam O Comain
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