Marathon specialist Chris Paauwe from Kruiningen once again proved why he is among Europe’s elite long-distance fanciers. On Friday, July 4th, 2025, a total of 1,188 pigeons were released from Bressols, France, for a grueling race back to Zeeland under tough northwesterly headwinds. Covering a distance of 858 kilometers, Chris’s incredible pigeon NL24‑8456294V flew home at 06:35:36, clocking a staggering average speed of 1174.759 m/min, leaving the entire competition far behind.

As The Pigeon Boss, Jan de Wijs, I've dedicated my life to the art and science of pigeon racing. Every champion knows that success isn't just about bloodlines or training; it's about mastering every single detail. I've spent decades perfecting feed regimens, training schedules, and breeding programs. But there was one critical element, often overlooked, that I knew could push my pigeons to even greater heights: the loft climate.

On July 6th, 2025, the Belgian pigeon sport once again witnessed greatness in motion. From a total of 4,689 pigeons, one single bird rose above them all BE24-6163002, better known as “Mr Great Wall”. Bred and raced by the talented duo Alicia Cleirbaut & Goovaerts, this pigeon stormed to 1st place with a top velocity of 1321.8647 m/min over a distance of 663.532 km. A world-class performance!

In a sport where numbers often rule the game, where champions send truckloads of pigeons into the skies and battle for glory with entire teams of feathered athletes… one woman stood alone on Saturday, June 29th, 2025. Her name? Chantal Vredeveld.Her location? Eefde, the Netherlands.Her strategy? Just one pigeon.

Reeuwijk, June 28, 2025 – What unfolded this past Saturday in Section 5 was nothing short of extraordinary. With a massive 9,138 pigeons released under ideal conditions, one fancier dominated like never before: Comb. van Leeuwen & Son from Reeuwijk. A full-throttle demonstration of precision, preparation, and raw pigeon power.

They are on the road to the highlight of the season: Barcelona 2025, the Queen of all races that makes thousands of fanciers' hearts beat faster year after year. And this edition kicks off with a strong message: responsible transport and top-level care for our feathered athletes!