1st in Afdeling 1 Zeeland – 6th National Sector 2 vs 7,650 pigeons!
When the going gets tough… Eric Dek gets going! On July 25th, during one of the most challenging long-distance races of the season, Eric Dek from Kruiningen delivered a masterclass in performance and preparation. With a distance of 778.609 km and a release time of 13:30 in Bergerac, Dek’s pigeon not only conquered the entire Afdeling 1 Zeeland (1541 birds) but also claimed 6th National in Sector 2 against a staggering 7,650 competitors.
With a top speed of 1137.845 m/min, it was crystal clear: this was a national class act!
🥇 One pigeon, six prizes, a statement of form
Eric entered 10 pigeons for this classic marathon and scored a remarkable 60% prize rate, including:
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1st, 51st, 87th, 88th, 500th, and 500+
A dominating display where one pigeon stood above the rest — but the depth of the loft shone through as well. This is not luck; this is systematic excellence.
🌙🔥 From Midnight Miracle to National Marvel — The Rise of NL.22-8504356
Some pigeons win a race. This one wrote a saga.
Meet NL.22-8504356, the iron lady from Kruiningen who doesn’t just fly marathons — she conquers them. In 2024, she left the nation speechless by doing what few pigeons in the history of the sport have done: arriving home from Bergerac at 01:06 in the dead of night, securing 2nd Provincial and 6th National in complete darkness. A moment that had even seasoned fanciers rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Fast forward to 2025, and she wasn’t done writing history. Against 1,541 elite pigeons in Zeeland and 7,650 across Sector 2, she soared again — this time straight to the top. With a blistering 1137.845 m/min over 778.6 km, she crushed the field to win 1st Afdeling 1 Zeeland and repeat her national class with a 6th National Sector 2 finish.
Two Bergerac editions. Two national top 6 positions. One pigeon. This is no coincidence — this is a legend in the making.
And what a pedigree lies behind this marvel: On the sire’s side we find “Grs. Rika” from Chris Paauwe, direct out of the famous Jellema–Beens connection. This line produced aces on Bergerac, Agen, and Brive, including multiple 1st prize winners. Her dam is a granddaughter of the immortal “Steffy” from the Jellema loft, built on the iconic EVI–Zeus foundation. Add in bloodlines that won or scored top 10 positions on Barcelona, Perpignan, Pau, and St. Vincent, and it’s no wonder this hen flies with fire in her wings.
This isn’t just a good racer.
This is the kind of pigeon that makes history — and then does it again.
🔝 Top 10 Afdeling 1 Zeeland – Bergerac 2025
Let’s take a look at the best fanciers and their highlights in this fierce competition:
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2. Frans Braem (Clinge) – 12/6, with strong follow-ups at 81st and 155th.
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3. Marco Meijer (St. Philipsland) – 10/2, plus another prize at 197th.
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4. J.W.M. Rentmeester (Ovezande) – 21/7 including 301st and 502nd.
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5. P.D. Pladdet (Hoek) – 10/8 with top scores at 22nd, 59th, 63rd, 281st and 448th.
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6. P. van Dongen (Arnemuiden) – 20/6 with additional prizes at 192nd, 227th, and 491st.
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7. J. van Popering (Bruinisse) – 14/11 and no less than 3 pigeons in the Top 10!
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8. Jan Walpot (St. Philipsland) – 5/2 and also in the top 200.
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9. Izaäk de Rijke (Nieuw- en Sint Joosland) – 3/1 with an impressive 9th place and 246th overall.
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10. J. van Popering again, with his second pigeon — simply phenomenal form!
👑 Who is Eric Dek? The Marathon Master of Zeeland
For insiders of the marathon pigeon scene, Eric Dek is already a household name. He has built a reputation for producing top results on the heaviest races, often under the radar but always among the best.
🏅 His resume speaks volumes:
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🥇 Winner of Dax ZLU 2024 at IFC Zeeland with “Rode Snoeper” – early morning arrival!
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🥉 3rd Marseille 2023 at IFC Zeeland – another rock-solid classic performance.
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🥉 3rd Perpignan 2021, with a 70% prize rate (7 out of 10) – elite-level consistency.
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⚡ Fastest yearling on Agen 2021 – dominating younger generation performances.
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🤝 Strong partnerships with elite fanciers like Chris Paauwe, often sharing pigeons and strategies.
Eric isn’t just racing pigeons — he’s shaping champions. His meticulous planning, eye for quality, and no-nonsense attitude have turned his loft into a fortress on the ZLU and national stage.
🔥The Pigeon Boss Says: When it matters most, Eric Dek delivers
Whether it’s Agen, Dax, Perpignan, Marseille, or Bergerac — Eric Dek is always in the mix. He’s built a name not on hype, but on consistent, elite-level results. His birds don’t just come home — they dominate.
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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