As every year, the grand champions' tribute took place on Sunday, November 10, within the I.W.V. I.W.V. stands for 88 years of West Flemish Association & 23 years of Inter-West Flemish Association, an organization aimed at organizing provincial competitions in the coastal province.
Annually, the West Flemish great middle distance and long distance players compete against each other in a splendid competition.
The particularly pleasant setting of “Zaal Symfonie” at the “Domein Maelstede” in Kuurne traditionally formed the backdrop for the event.
Chairman Filip Norman had the honor of greeting 170 attendees.
In his foreword - during the reception - he expressed his joy at being able to welcome so many placed competitors along with their partners.
All placed competitors in the free championships receive a cash prize according to their ranking.
In his speech, Mr. Norman - as one of the international organizers - addressed the unanimous position of the KBDB on the discussion with the organizers in the Netherlands.
He emphasized in particular the uniform transport of the pigeons to the release point.
Any transport related to an international flight must be done with the same means to ensure the safe return of the pigeons.
“We must give the Dutch enthusiasts the chance to participate in those flights as well,” said F. Norman. “With regret, we must note that a flight like Limoges has been removed from the long-distance calendar, and that is not the only flight." Regarding the upcoming elections in 2025, he asked those present to support candidates who will vigorously advocate for the interests of the enthusiasts; “for we must not forget that we, as a coastal province, are in a difficult corner compared to the rest of the country.”
He concluded by asking for a minute of silence for the deceased pigeon enthusiasts and/or family members in the past year.
During an extremely tasteful and well-catered banquet, the laureates in the various championships were honored.
A total of € 11,550 in cash prizes was provided, but some of those prize winners were absent and thus could not claim a free prize, as clearly announced in the invitations.
A pity for them, as the champions' tribute was, as usual, both culinary and sporting a high-flyer, characteristic of the I.W.V.
Nico Fourneau from Moen honored as 1st general champion 2024 I.W.V.
Nico (represented by his parents) won the vote with a margin of 3 prizes over the second (68 prizes) and
this was Wilfried Vandemaele from Heule (65 prizes),
while Team Verschoot from Ingelmunster finished in third place with 60 prizes.
A total of 60 enthusiasts were ranked in the general championship.
Chris Debacker from Beveren-Leie: 1st champion Great Middle Distance I.W.V. old
In this discipline, there was fierce competition for the title of 1st champion.
No less than 10 enthusiasts scored between 22 and 24 prizes with, of course, the coefficients determining the order.
Chris Debacker secured 24 prizes,
ahead of Team Huysentruyt from Anzegem with 23 prizes and
in third place was Wilfried Vandemaele from Heule who had the lowest coefficient of the group with 22 prizes.
Twenty enthusiasts could enjoy a free prize pool.
Dewaele-Deseyn from Ingooigem won the I.W.V. championship for old pigeons.
In this category, there was also fierce competition, with 4 enthusiasts figuratively on a towel vying for the highest title.
The trophy for 1st champion went to Dewaele-Deseyn with 14 prizes and
before Frederik Everaert from Aarsele with 13 prizes as second and
Bart Vaneenoo from Wingene as third also with 13 prizes.
Again, 20 enthusiasts enjoyed a nice free cash prize.
Nico Barbulescu from Zwevezele: 1st I.W.V. champion heavy long distance old pigeons
Two enthusiasts finished with 11 prizes in the heavy long distance. Nico Barbulescu took it with just 92.87% and
before Stefaan Patou from Passendale.
In third place was Carine Lambrecht from Dadizele after a fine season with 9 prizes.
Then followed 5 other enthusiasts with 9 prizes. In total, there were 20 ranked.
Nico Fourneau: 1st I.W.V. champion yearlings
Nico ran away with the title with a lead of 6 prizes, achieving 32 prizes.
In second place were Marc & Geert Pollin from Snellegem with 27 prizes and
then we had three enthusiasts with 26 prizes where Team Verschoot from Ingelmunster had the lowest coefficient and thus was ranked third.
The prize pool in this group was also distributed among 20 ranked.
Luc Delaere from Anzegem: 1st I.W.V. champion young pigeons
Once again, we see in the results a neck-to-neck race between the top two, both with a total of 24 prizes.
Then 6 enthusiasts followed with 21 prizes.
Luc Delaere won the match and crowned himself as 1st champion
ahead of Eric Vermander from Oekene,
in third place was Rudy De Saer from Ruiselede.
Tribute to several present West Flemish enthusiasts
a) Winners of Inter-West Flemish flights 2024
A special trophy was awarded
- to Christiaan Lefevere from Vichte (winner at Chateauroux 01/06),
- to Wilfried Vandemaele from Heule (winner at Chateauroux 06/07), and
- 2 trophies for Gino Clicque from Wevelgem (winner at Chateauroux 20/05 and Montoire 31/08)
b) National winners and national (asduif) champions 2024
- Frederik Everaert from Aarsele won national Bergerac old,
- Casteleyn-Van Parijs won national Narbonne yearlings and had the 1st national asduif of the great long-distance yearlings,
- Martin Ravelingien from Tiegem became national champion of the great long distance old.
This tribute concluded with the national anthem.
As every year, we end by extending hearty congratulations to all ranked competitors, but also, once again, a special appreciation for Chairman Filip Norman and his 2 collaborators, namely Joris Follet and Eric Claerhout within the board of the Inter-West Flemish Association.
Their champions' celebration deserves warm congratulations again... it was TOP!!
Text/photos: J. Mestdagh