The Schaschkows of France
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Aside from the article relating to the great Dordin strain this is the second article which refers in this series to the sport in
France. Its subject is one of the most consistent of distance families of racing pigeons for decades in Europe and indeed the
lofts in 2005 won the Barcelona International. In fact this brothers partnership known as the Schaschkows have long since
made the marathon of all marathons their number one objective or goal in the sport.

The brothers are Cyrille and Raymond and their record at the distance within recent years is outstanding with the following
highlights: 2004 1st & 2nd International Hens Yearlings Marseille; 2004 4th National Barcelona, and 28th International; 2003: 1st National Barcelona, and 8th International. Winning the 'Barcelona De Cuyper Fondsport Prize (France)' 2003: 7th International Marseille Hens. 2002: 1st National Perpignan. 2002: 12th International Dax Hens. 1999: 1st International Marseille Hens. 1999: 15th Barcelona '2000 Pigeon Championship'. 1995: 16th International Perpignan Hens. 1995: 17th International Marseille. 1994: 1st National Marseille and 5th International. 1992: 5th International Marseille Hens.

As stated the Barcelona National and International races are what they have set their sights on and their whole year is geared for this cause. Here they commit their hens to the marathon and only upon eggs. Only the best are prepared for the Spanish race point and this is via daily tosses of approximately 90km from Straatsburg. Their winner of the tough 2005 International flying against 25,835 other birds is referred to as 'Diva Barcelona' and is an outstanding representative of a distance pigeon. Prior to her success in the International at 4 years of age this medium sized blue cheq hen in 2002 recorded a prize from Marseille, followed by scoring 292nd in the 2003 Barcelona International race. In the 2004 season the 'Diva Barcelona' flew well from Dax and was 216th International Hens from Pau.

The 2005 winner must have flown gallantly through the rain on the first day of the race from Barcelona for Cyrille found her on the loft at 4.40am. Being clocked at approximately 5.03am on the 2nd morning implies that she was not far from home on the night of the race or interestingly as it has been suggested the 'Diva Barcelona' flew through the night to make it home so early in the morning. Whatever the answer she has made her mark upon pigeon racing history and the Schaschkows have joined the unique and elite band of International Barcelona winners.

The base of the Schaschkows include some of the best strain names in Europe including the legendary Aarden strain especially the Van Der Wegen strand of the latter pigeon dynasty coupled with the bloodlines of the Vanhees, the Kipps, the de Weerds, the Vanbruaenes, etc,. Obviously aware that to conquer the distance the best bloodlines available were required to fulfil their ambitions. Thus coupled with an extreme motivation Cyrille and Raymond Schaschkow have written a chapter of modern pigeon racing history and they have done so relatively young. We shall hear more of them as we traverse the new millennium!

by: Liam O Comain