Like every year, on Sunday, November 10, the grand champions' awards ceremony took place within the I.W.V. I.W.V. stands for 88 years of the West Flanders Association & 23 years of the Inter-West Flanders Association, an organization aimed at organizing provincial competitions in the coastal province.
Annually, the West Flanders great middle distance and long distance players compete against each other in a beautiful competition.
The particularly pleasant setting of "Zaal Symfonie" at "Domein Maelstede" in Kuurne traditionally formed the backdrop for the event.
Chairman Filip Norman had the honor of welcoming 170 attendees.
In his introduction - during the reception - he expressed his joy at being able to greet so many classified participants along with their partners.
All competitors in the free championships receive a monetary prize according to their ranking.
In his speech, Mr. Norman, as one of the international organizers, discussed the unanimous position of the KBDB regarding the discussion with organizers in the Netherlands.
He emphasized, among other things, the uniform transport of the pigeons to the release site.
Every transport related to an international flight must occur with the same transport to ensure a safe return of the pigeons.
“We must give the Dutch enthusiasts the chance to participate in these flights,” said F. Norman. “Regrettably, we must state that a flight like Limoges has been removed from the long distance calendar, and this is not the only flight.” Regarding the upcoming elections in 2025, he urged attendees to choose those candidates who will ardently represent the interests of the enthusiasts; “for we must not forget that as a coastal province, we 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 a very tasteful and well-organized banquet, the laureates in various championships were honored.
A total of €11,550 in cash prizes was allocated, but some of those prize winners did not show up and thus could not claim a free prize, which was clearly announced in the invitations.
Unfortunate for them, as the champions' ceremony was, as usual, both culinary and sporting a high flyer, characteristic of the I.W.V.
Nico Fourneau from Moen honored as 1st overall champion 2024 I.W.V.
Nico (represented by his parents) won with 3 prizes ahead of the second (68 points) and
this was Wilfried Vandemaele from Heule (65 points),
while Team Verschoot from Ingelmunster finished third with 60 points.
A total of 60 enthusiasts were classified in the overall championship.
Chris Debacker from Beveren-Leie: 1st champion Great Middle Distance I.W.V. old
This discipline saw a fierce competition to secure the title of 1st champion.
No less than 10 enthusiasts scored between 22 and 24 prizes, with coefficients determining the order of ranking.
Chris Debacker achieved 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 in the group with 22 prizes.
Twenty enthusiasts were able to enjoy a free prize pot.
Dewaele-Deseyn from Ingooigem won the I.W.V. championship for old pigeons.
This category also saw a hard-fought battle with 4 enthusiasts figuratively on a towel for the highest title.
With 14 prizes, the trophy for 1st champion went to Dewaele-Deseyn,
ahead of Frederik Everaert from Aarsele with 13 prizes in second place and
Bart Vaneenoo from Wingene in third with also 13 prizes.
Here too, 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 won with just 92.87% and
ahed of Stefaan Patou from Passendale.
In third place was Carine Lambrecht from Dadizele after a fine season with 9 prizes.
Then followed 5 more enthusiasts with 9 prizes. In total, there were 20 classified competitors.
Nico Fourneau: 1st I.W.V. champion yearlings
With a 6 prize lead, Nico took the title, achieving 32 prizes.
In second place were Marc & Geert Pollin from Snellegem with 27 prizes and
then we had three enthusiasts with 26 prizes, with Team Verschoot from Ingelmunster having the lowest coefficient and thus ranked third.
The prize pot in this group was also distributed among 20 classified participants.
Luc Delaere from Anzegem: 1st I.W.V. champion young pigeons
Once again, we see a neck-and-neck race in the results between the top two, both with a total of 24 prizes.
Then followed 6 enthusiasts with 21 prizes.
Luc Delaere thus won and crowned himself as 1st champion
ahed of Eric Vermander from Oekene,
with Rudy De Saer from Ruiselede finishing third.
A tribute to a number of present West Flanders enthusiasts
a) Winners of Inter-West Flanders flights 2024
There was a special trophy
- for Christiaan Lefevere from Vichte (winner at Chateauroux 01/06),
- for 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 nationally from Bergerac old,
- Casteleyn-Van Parijs won nationally from Narbonne yearlings and had the 1st national asduif in the heavy long distance yearlings,
- Martin Ravelingien from Tiegem became national champion of the heavy long distance old.
This tribute concluded with the national anthem.
Like every year, we conclude by wishing hearty congratulations to all classified participants, but also a particularly great appreciation for chairman Filip Norman and his 2 colleagues, namely Joris Follet and Eric Claerhout within the management of the Inter-West Flanders Association.
Their champions' celebration deserves heartfelt congratulations… it was TOP!!
Text/photos: J. Mestdagh