6.1 Annual Programmed Fixtures
Notwithstanding the role and the provision for Stewards put in place for the inspection of pigeons being entered for competition, it is widely known that in New Zealand the months of February through May is a stressful period for a majority of pigeons in completing their annual moult cycle. This has specific reference to the shedding and replacement of the 8th, 9th and 10th primary flights in each wing, which, from general observation is seen to place both physical and psychological effects on some pigeons and leads to a reduced potential for flight in those birds, when so affected.
6.2 Race Controls
6.2.1 Appointment.
Member clubs and affiliates will appoint annually a Race Secretary, presided over by the President, who will arrange and conduct the annual race programme.
6.2.2 Name.
The Race Secretary will have control over the welfare of the pigeons, their collection, transport and liberation. The Race Secretary shall also compile, amend and manage the annual programme of racing in the interests of the welfare of the pigeons.
6.2.3 Powers.
The Race Secretary is empowered to cancel, postpone or alter the race venue and to direct the Liberator, in charge of the pigeons, to make whatever adjustments are necessary for the welfare of the pigeons. The Race Secretary IS NOT empowered to overrule the liberator and insist on liberation of the birds against the advice of the liberator.
6.2.4 Responsibilities
Every effort must be made on the part of the Race Secretary to obtain the best information available for weather conditions over the course of the race. Weather information is available from the Weather Workshop on the 0900 telephone numbers for each district. Other sources are of accurate weather information are aero clubs and aviation authorities.
6.3 Liberators.
The appointed Liberator has responsibility for performing the release of pigeons, at the liberation site, in such a manner as to avoid potential for injury to the pigeons on release. The authority to release pigeons, in all races, rests with the Liberator. The Liberator shall contact the Race Secretary at least one hour prior to release to report on conditions, discuss local conditions and to agree on liberation of the pigeons. If any change is made to the agreed liberation plan the Liberator will advise the Race Secretary immediately after the liberation of the birds, or in the case of a hold-over, as soon as possible.
6.4 Race Delays and Hold-Overs.
Where the liberation is delayed because of adverse weather conditions, such delay will remain in force until a new liberation time is established.
6.4.1 Second Day.
On the second day, the Race Secretary will decide to:
Release the pigeons at the time scheduled for the previous day, or,
Bring the pigeons back to a shorter liberation site and reconsider the situation at that shorter distance, or,
Hold the pigeons at the original site until hold-over time is again reached, and at which time the race will be declared cancelled and the pigeons returned home for collection by their respective owners.
6.5 Rain and Fog.
Rain and Fog at Liberation sites are known to interfere with the pigeons' ability to orientate. Pigeons, therefore, are not to be liberated away from the home lofts, for training or racing, into rain or fog and the liberators are to wait until such conditions abate or abort the exercise.
6.6 Liberation time.
The release of pigeons for both training and racing are governed both by conditions at the liberation site and the time of year. The minimum requirements for time of liberation are:
Under clear sky conditions - release a minimum of 15 minutes after gazetted sunrise for the area.
Under over-cast sky conditions release a minimum of 30 minutes after gazetted sunrise for the area.
6.7 Hold-Over Conditions
The hold-over time for any race is calculated by counting backwards from thirty (30) minutes after the gazetted time of sunset, at the home end, by the time derived from dividing the distance for the journey to the furthest loft by 55 kilometres per hour (to the nearest quarter hour), which represents the recognised average speed for pigeons in flight, under adverse conditions . The holdover time therefore represents the estimated absolute latest time for liberation, allowing the pigeons time to make the home lofts on the day of liberation, under adverse conditions.
For races of 700 Km or more (distance measured to the nearest competitor to the liberation point) it is permissible to release the birds at a time that ensures all birds entered in the race will arrive home on the same day assuming a speed of 55 kilometres per hour.
6.7.1 Example.
An example of a declared hold-over time is shown as follows:
Journey is 500 kilometres and sunset at the home end is 1800 hours or 6.00pm. Journey time at 55 kilometres per hour, average speed for the pigeon, is 500/55 = 9 hours. The latest time for release on that day before a hold-over is declared is therefore, 1800 hours, plus 30 minutes, less 9 hours = 0930 hours or 9.30am.