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.
This wasn’t just a win – it was a masterclass in long-distance racing.
🎯 Real Champions Rise in the Morning Mist
For insiders of the pigeon sport, this victory came as no surprise. Chris Paauwe has long been recognized as one of Europe’s premier marathon fanciers. Since moving to Kruiningen in 2004, he has meticulously built an internationally respected loft based on golden bloodlines including:
- Hans Eijerkamp & Sons (“Black Giant”, “Salinero”)
-
Jelle Jellema
-
Ko van Dommelen
-
Jos Pepping
From this elite genetic foundation, Chris developed a family of pigeons bred specifically for one thing: dominating the toughest races on the calendar.
🔥 The Winning Pigeon: A True Phenomenon
The star of the show, NL24‑8456294V, didn’t just win – she crushed the field. In a race that demanded both endurance and grit, she was the only pigeon to achieve such a high speed, arriving well over an hour ahead of the next in line.
But this was no one-hit wonder: Chris entered 27 pigeons and saw 13 of them win prizes, a phenomenal 48.1% prize rate, including:
-
1st, 110th, 134th, 139th, 140th, 142nd, 167th, 192nd, 247th, 249th, 266th, 337th, and 392nd.
A breathtaking team performance, but with one clear leader.
💪 Other Top Fanciers in the Race
While Chris dominated the top spot, several other names made their mark in the top 10:
-
L.J. Hengst (Aagtekerke) – 2nd place, 10 prizes from 25 pigeons (40%)
-
Tessa Snel (Wemeldinge) – 3rd place, 9 prizes from 21 pigeons (43%)
-
M. Kleppe (Kerkwerve) – 10 prizes from just 12 entries (83%), including multiple top placements
Still, none came close to Chris’s breathtaking 1174 m/min winning speed. This was a solo flight to glory.
🧠 Paauwe’s Formula: Precision, Patience, Power
What sets Chris Paauwe apart?
-
Small entries, high efficiency: Carefully chosen pigeons for each race
-
Proven bloodlines: From "Giant Lady" to "Thunder Queen", his loft houses true legends
-
Elite results: 1st National Dax (2021), 1st National Narbonne (2022), and many more…
His pigeons don’t just race – they deliver under pressure, again and again.
🕊️ The Legacy of ‘Giant Lady’ and More
One of Chris’s legendary breeders, Giant Lady, made waves with:
-
14th National Marseille (2016) – 1st Provincial Zeeland
-
87th National Marseille (2015) – 1st Provincial Zeeland
And don’t forget his stunning 1st National Narbonne 2022 with “Thunder Queen” or 1st National Dax 2021 with “Nicolle”.
Chris doesn’t collect results. He writes history.
💬 From Quiet Mornings to Loud Victories
Chris’s victories are deeply personal. He once said:
“This sport is about patience, insight, and respect for the pigeon. Victory is the reward for trust and hard work.”
Imagine the silence of the morning in Kruiningen… then the sudden flutter of wings… and the beep of a winning clock. That’s the magic of pigeon racing.
🗺️ Flight Summary – Bressols
- Race: Bressols A27 – Afdeling 1 Zeeland
-
Release Time: July 4th, 2025 – 12:00 CET
-
Distance to Kruiningen: 858 km
-
Weather: Northwest headwinds
-
Number of Pigeons: 1,188
-
Winning Speed: 1174.759 m/min
-
Winner: Chris Paauwe, Kruiningen
-
Prizes: 13 out of 27 (48.1%)
🤝 A Trusted Name – A Trusted Friendship
Chris Paauwe and The Pigeon Boss go way back. Over the years, we’ve followed his journey with great admiration and were proud to promote one of his auctions in the past — a great success that attracted global interest. Chris is not just a champion on paper — he’s a true ambassador for the sport and someone we deeply respect.
Chris Paauwe – a name to remember!
Untill the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
Add comment
Comments