NIPA & ISRF Race Reports - 08/05/14
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 7:33 am
NIPA Clonmel Report 08/05/14
the following is a report on Clonmel release on Sat 3rd May:
The race committee took the decision on Thursday night 1st May to racemark on Friday for a possible release in Clonmel on Saturday , this decision was put on the libline and the website.
The convoy arrived in Clonmel at 5.15 am.
The race controller made initial contact with the conveyer and assistant conveyer at 7.00 am at that stage the cloud base was too low to consider a release.
From 7 am the race controller Mr David Campbell liased with his contacts en route, Met Erin and the conveyers continually during the morning.at 11.30 a decision was taken to go for a 12 noon release, the conveyer had indicated the weather at release had improved to allow a liberation provided the route home was clear. the line of flight was rechecked and found to be flyable , strings were cut and it was left to the conveyers to release.
Pigeons were released at 12 noon in a light south west wind conditions were still favourable and the pigeons cleared well. Approximately 7/10 minutes after release a batch returned being pursued and attacked by 2 peregrines. There were no pigeons in the sky at 12.15 pm and the convoy remained on site until 1.45 pm and the weather had remained favourable. On the route home the convoy did not encounter any adverse weather until the outskirts of Dublin at around 4.30 pm.
It has been stated that some travellers were hanging around the release site there were three of them,everything possible was done to try to keep these travellers away from the convoy at release they dived into the birds and may have caught some we simply cant be sure.
We have examined the full video of the release and are in agreement that the release was in order. Independent fanciers from Southern Ireland were on site and reported back to fanciers in the north that they were completely satisfied with the release, and this can be verified.
All involved are extremely sorry and disappointed as to the outcome of this race.
Fred Russell secretary
Irish SR Federation - Memo to Club Secretaries 8th May 2014.
The committee held a meeting last night to review last week’s poor returns from the Skibbereen race. We wish to place on record our disappointment and sorrow at the outcome of this race for all members.
The liberator and both convoyers were invited to give their reports, these will be published on the federation website as soon as possible along with the full result of the committee enquiry.
For now the following actions have been taken.
Having considered the views of all involved in the decision to liberate the committee have decided to accept the resignation offered by the liberator Michael O’Driscoll. The committees acknowledge the difficulty of the job undertaken by Michael especially given the poor weather over the last number of years and regret the circumstances of his departure from the committee.
For the remainder of this season the job will be taken on by 3 committee members, Henry Byrne, Lee Newman and Thomas Daniel.
With regard to the convoyers no further action will be taken, however neither Michael Warner nor Ken McNamara will be on duty for the next 2 weeks.
Owing to the severity of the losses in this race the committee has decided to alter the race programme to suit the changed circumstances of the federation members. Cancelling the race for this weekend was strongly considered, however it was felt this would be unfair on those members who wish to continue to compete.
The race this week will be from Pilmore Beach. Due to a poor weather forecast it appears no race will be possible on Saturday. It is the opinion of the committee that Friday represents the best chance of a successful race. This will be confirmed on or before 1.30pm today following review of the weather forecast.
Next week 17th May the race point will be Mallow, Barleycove Open will take place on May 24th.
Due to availability issues with both Truro and Penzance the channel program will change to Truro on May 31st and 7th June and Penzance on June 14th and 21st.
The updated race program will be available later today on the federation website.
Some clubs have requested an EGM be held to discuss the Skibbereen race. The committee feels the issues raised by the many clubs who have written in have been addressed by the actions the committee has taken. We ask that any clubs who are still unhappy after the result of the enquiry is published to keep in contact so any remaining issues can be resolved.
Alan Meehan - Secretary, Irish South Road Federation.
the following is a report on Clonmel release on Sat 3rd May:
The race committee took the decision on Thursday night 1st May to racemark on Friday for a possible release in Clonmel on Saturday , this decision was put on the libline and the website.
The convoy arrived in Clonmel at 5.15 am.
The race controller made initial contact with the conveyer and assistant conveyer at 7.00 am at that stage the cloud base was too low to consider a release.
From 7 am the race controller Mr David Campbell liased with his contacts en route, Met Erin and the conveyers continually during the morning.at 11.30 a decision was taken to go for a 12 noon release, the conveyer had indicated the weather at release had improved to allow a liberation provided the route home was clear. the line of flight was rechecked and found to be flyable , strings were cut and it was left to the conveyers to release.
Pigeons were released at 12 noon in a light south west wind conditions were still favourable and the pigeons cleared well. Approximately 7/10 minutes after release a batch returned being pursued and attacked by 2 peregrines. There were no pigeons in the sky at 12.15 pm and the convoy remained on site until 1.45 pm and the weather had remained favourable. On the route home the convoy did not encounter any adverse weather until the outskirts of Dublin at around 4.30 pm.
It has been stated that some travellers were hanging around the release site there were three of them,everything possible was done to try to keep these travellers away from the convoy at release they dived into the birds and may have caught some we simply cant be sure.
We have examined the full video of the release and are in agreement that the release was in order. Independent fanciers from Southern Ireland were on site and reported back to fanciers in the north that they were completely satisfied with the release, and this can be verified.
All involved are extremely sorry and disappointed as to the outcome of this race.
Fred Russell secretary
Irish SR Federation - Memo to Club Secretaries 8th May 2014.
The committee held a meeting last night to review last week’s poor returns from the Skibbereen race. We wish to place on record our disappointment and sorrow at the outcome of this race for all members.
The liberator and both convoyers were invited to give their reports, these will be published on the federation website as soon as possible along with the full result of the committee enquiry.
For now the following actions have been taken.
Having considered the views of all involved in the decision to liberate the committee have decided to accept the resignation offered by the liberator Michael O’Driscoll. The committees acknowledge the difficulty of the job undertaken by Michael especially given the poor weather over the last number of years and regret the circumstances of his departure from the committee.
For the remainder of this season the job will be taken on by 3 committee members, Henry Byrne, Lee Newman and Thomas Daniel.
With regard to the convoyers no further action will be taken, however neither Michael Warner nor Ken McNamara will be on duty for the next 2 weeks.
Owing to the severity of the losses in this race the committee has decided to alter the race programme to suit the changed circumstances of the federation members. Cancelling the race for this weekend was strongly considered, however it was felt this would be unfair on those members who wish to continue to compete.
The race this week will be from Pilmore Beach. Due to a poor weather forecast it appears no race will be possible on Saturday. It is the opinion of the committee that Friday represents the best chance of a successful race. This will be confirmed on or before 1.30pm today following review of the weather forecast.
Next week 17th May the race point will be Mallow, Barleycove Open will take place on May 24th.
Due to availability issues with both Truro and Penzance the channel program will change to Truro on May 31st and 7th June and Penzance on June 14th and 21st.
The updated race program will be available later today on the federation website.
Some clubs have requested an EGM be held to discuss the Skibbereen race. The committee feels the issues raised by the many clubs who have written in have been addressed by the actions the committee has taken. We ask that any clubs who are still unhappy after the result of the enquiry is published to keep in contact so any remaining issues can be resolved.
Alan Meehan - Secretary, Irish South Road Federation.