Siegel pigeons: News

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	News & Views
	Etienne Meirlaen: 1st National Ace Very Long Distance 2009 by Stefan Mertens In one of her hits Queen of pop Madonna sings, “give me a record…and I'll break it!” This can also be used to describe the top performances of fancier Etienne Meirlaen... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Etienne Meirlaen...
	Mathias DeWitte: 1st National Champion KBDB Middle Distance Young Birds by Stefan Mertens This 27 year old champion is clearly making a name for himself on the Belgian racing pigeon scene, and he's only been a fancier since 2002! He does not think of himself as a young bird specialist, although his competitors consider him to be one... Take me to Mertens' report on Mathias DeWitte...
	2009 National Winners: Bourges Brive Montelimar Cahors Pau by Stefan Mertens *Mertens takes us to the lofts of the winners of these five coveted Belgian races to meet the 2009 champions--pigeons and fanciers--of the Bourges, Brive, Montelimar, Cahors, and Pau races...* Take me to Mertens' report on these 2009 winners...
	Luc Poncelet: National Champion KBDB Short Distance 2008 by Stefan Mertens *Limal*: Is it a unique phenomenon? As far as I know it is. We are speaking about the fact that one fancier two years in a row becomes national champion in the short distance category. This unique accomplishment has been performed by our friend in the sport Luc Poncelet from Limal. Limal is situated in the neighbourhood of Nijvel, or in other words south of the capital city of Belgium, namely Brussels. Take me to Mertens' report on Luc Poncelet...
	Albert Derwa: 1st Montlucon Against 8,619 Birds by Stefan Mertens Herent: For several years we have been able to classify Albert among the better fanciers of Belgium. In the earlier years Albert was known as a young bird specialist, but during the last 10 years our friend has also been on top with widowers and racing hens. Take me to Mertens' report on Albert Derwa...
	Marc Capelle - 1st and 2nd National Ace KBDB Short Distance 2008 Olympiad bird Dortmund Category Short Distance by Stefan Mertens *Badour:* Situated in the French speaking part of Belgium, in this neighborhood of the better known city of Mons, there we were sitting at the same table with one of the best short-distance racers from Belgium... Take me to Mertens' report on Marc Capelle...
	Rik Hermans - Champion Curegem Centre Youngbirds by Stefan Mertens Pulle: Next to the national championship young birds KBDB, there is also another very important championship on a national level for the young birds, and that is the championship of Cureghem Centre. Cureghem Centre is one of the organizations that organizes national and international races. The best known race of Cureghem Centre is the Barcelona International... Take me to Mertens' report on Rik Hermans...
	The Herbots Family: 1st National Champion K.B.D.B. Yearbirds by Stefan Mertens *Halle-Booienhoven*: "It was great to hear!" We are talking about the first reaction of Jo Herbots when we contacted him to congratulate him on winning the national championship year birds KBDB 2008 ... Read on to hear more about the Herbots family's most recent national championship... Take me to Mertens' report on the Herbots family...
	Fréderic Beukenne: 1st National Ace Bird Small Middle Distance by Stefan Mertens Beukenne was already on my list to report on last year, because he was national champion KBDB middle distance. To win this championship, you need to take the best five results with your first and second nominated old bird, on races between 250 and 450 km. Our friend in Bruyelle won that championship by a very large margin... Take me to Mertens' report on Frederic Beukenne...
	Guy Everaert: 1st National Bourges Against 41,783 Young Birds by Stefan Mertens With Bourges II, which is raced the last weekend of August and from a distance for Brussels of 450km, we had, for the middle-distance racers, the race of all races on the programme. Although a lot of fanciers were complaining that they have lost a lot of young birds, more than 41,000 youngsters were basketted for Bourges national, which is why some people call this race the sensation race of the year... Take me to Mertens' report on Guy Everaert...
	Raoul and Xavier Verstraete: National Winner Cahors by Stefan Mertens This year's first national Cahors race was the fourth national victory for this father-son partnership, starting with La Souterraine in 1981. Read on for Mertens' account of his visit to what is known in Belgium as "the loft of the miracles" to talk with champions Raoul and Xavier Verstraete... Take me to Mertens' report on Raoul and Xavier Verstraete...
	Janssens-Boen: National Champion Great Middle Distance K.B.D.B. by Stefan Mertens Several years ago the K.B.D.B.--the Belgian national organization-- differentiated between races at the small middle distance and the great middle distance, which can be won with the best five results with 1st and 2nd nominated old birds on races between 350km and 600km. In addition, the total length of the five races has to be a minimum of 2,000 kilometers....and this only begins the qualifications... Read on for the inside secrets of the winners of this championship, the husband-wife team of Theo Janssens and Gerarda Boen... Take me to Mertens' report on Theo Janssens and Gerarda Boen...
	Frans and Louis Nijns: 1st National Ace Pigeon Middle Distance K.B.D.B. 2007 by Stefan Mertens The 1st National Ace Pigeon Middle Distance K.B.D.B. 2007 will stay in Belgium, not too very far from where "Kenzo" was bred and raced from the lofts of veteran fancier Frans Nijns and his son Louis Nijns, with help from Albert Van Geel. Read on for the details of this keen competition--won by a family whose racing prowess is not widely known, even in Belgium... Take me to Mertens' report on Frans and Louis Nijns...
	Filip Norman: Winner One-Million-Dollar Race - South Africa & 2nd National Champion Long Distance K.B.D.B. 2007 by Stefan Mertens Filip Norman made not only a very good racing season in 2007 as 2nd national champion long distance K.B.D.B., but at the top of the bill his "Abraham" won the one-million-dollar race in Sun City (South Africa). We couldn't have chosen a better moment to plan a visit to this internationally known loft... Take me to Mertens' report on Filip Norman...
	Paul and Jelle Roziers: Tops with the Young Birds in the National Races by Stefan Mertens The Belgian pigeon sport has become more and more a specialization in one or another discipline. Recently, a new phenomenon has come into the pigeon sport, so that we are now talking about the very long-distance racers. And now… a new category has appeared-namely the specialist with the young birds in the national races. Paul and Jelle Roziers of Berlaar are recognized throughout the sport as specialists in this category... Take me to Mertens' report on Paul and Jelle Roziers...
	Van Hove - Uytterhoeven 1st National Champion KBDB Yearbirds by Stefan Mertens The national championship year birds is immensely popular in the Belgian pigeon sport. Fanciers who can classify themselves very high in this competition know that they have very good year birds under their roofs. Fanciers who have very good year birds usually also have very good old birds. So the future for those fanciers looks fantastic! Following these criteria, the world renown combination of Van Hove-Uytterhoeven was the best in all of Belgium in 2007... Take me to Mertens' report on Van Hove-Uytterhoeven...
	Henri and Danny Van Avondt: 1st National Ace Pigeon KBDB Great Middle Distance by Stefan Mertens We searched for the best ace bird at the great middle distance, and found the well-known father-son partnership of Henri and Danny Van Avondt from Haacht. Their "Million" is only one of the champions in this top colony of Belgian racing pigeons... Take me to Mertens' report on Henri and Danny Van Avondt...
	Antoine Degraeve: 1st National Ace Bird K.B.D.B. Sprint by Stefan Mertens In the Belgian town of Waarschoot, the pigeon sport is practiced like in the good old days--short distance, and especially the races from Clermont and Arras. When Antoine Degraeve is standing at the basketting table, nine times out of ten he wins the first prize or a lot of top prizes. It's no surprise that the clubs in his area don't like to see him come... Take me to Mertens' report on Antoine Degraeve...
	Gaston Van De Wouwer: 1st National Champion K.B.D.B. Youngbirds by Stefan Mertens The criteria to win this national championship sound very easy. Gaston Van De Wouwer only had to clock three times his 1st and 2nd nominated young bird on four national races (Bourges, Argenton, La Souterraine and Gueret) for young birds. In 2006 everybody spoke about the winning coefficient (10%) of Jos Thoné but last season (2007) Van De Wouwer did much better, actually 8.8299%! Unbelievable, but true... Take me to Mertens' report on Gaston Van De Wouwer...
	Jan Vander Bracht: 95 First Prizes in 2007 by Stefan Mertens Ophasselt, Belgium's Jan Vander Bracht may well hold the record for the most "pure" 1st prizes in one racing season ever, anywhere. Jan is a third-generation pigeon fancier and a master at the short distance. Mertens takes you into his loft and probes the secrets of his remarkable success... Take me to Mertens' report on Jan Vander Bracht...
	2007 National Winners: Part 3 by Stefan Mertens Mertens's report on the Belgium's 2007 national and international winners continues... This month, our Belgian correspondent covers the winners of the races from St. Vincent, Narbonne International, Bourges, Perpignan International, Argenton, La Souterraine, and Gueret.... Read on and you'll see that almost every winner was always super motivated--sometimes in surprising ways... Take me to Part 3 of the report on 2007 National Winners and the 2007 World Championship...
	2007 National Winners: Part 2 and The World Championship 2007 by Stefan Mertens Mertens's report on the Belgium's 2007 national and international winners continues with Orange, Barcelona, and Irun (replacing St. Vincent and Tarbes). As an added treat, he takes us to the 2007 World Championship, with the final race being flown to a huge crowd gathered in Nevele, Belgium on August 15... Take me to Part 2 of the report on 2007 National Winners and the 2007 World Championship...
	2007 National Winners: Part 1 by Stefan Mertens Mertens's report on the Belgium's 2007 national and international winners includes the races from Bourges, Brive, Montelimar, Cahors, Montauban, and Pau. You'll enjoy finding out just why our Belgian correspondent calls these records "historic"... Take me to Part 1 of the report on 2007 National Winners...
	DON'T MISS THESE STORIES FROM OUR NEWS ARCHIVE:
	Petra Van Den Broeck and Willy Van Houtte: A Roundtable Discussion with Two Belgian Champions Take me to the report on Petra Van Den Broeck and Willy Van Houtte...
	Georges Fabry: Heir to the Master Birds of this strain have influenced lofts through the generations from grandfathers to their grandchildren, and the name to this day is spoken with reverence in pigeon circles the world over...Fabry. My 2007 visits to his loft in Belgium fulfilled a dream of many years... Take me to Ed's report on Georges Fabry...
	Sebastien Casaert-Senechal: Like Father...Like Son It is not always easy to be the son of a famous sportsman, because people will always compare you with your father, but Sébastien Casaert has overcome the shadow of the legacy of his famous father, Maurice. At only 35, Casaert is already a well-established champion at the great middle distance in Belgium's hottest competition... Take me to the report on Sébastien Casaert- Senechal...
	Jos Thoné : 1st National Champion KBDB Youngbirds National Races and Olympiad Bird Oostende Short Distance 2007 Jos Thone' is a name known round the world in the realm of pigeon racing. His 2006 results were phenomenal yet again, with more than 45 first prizes. Go behind the scenes at Thone's magnificent lofts to learn more about this legend's birds and methods... Take me to the report on Jos Thone'...
	Luc Crucke: 1st National Ace-Pigeon KBDB Great Middle Distance Luc Crucke is another great Belgian champion who's willing to share his secrets--but not all of them! Read on to see what this affable 2006 winner of the KBDB's 1st national ace-pigeon great middle distance trophy is willing to reveal about the methods behind his success... Take me to the report on Luc Crucke...
	Deno-Herbots: 1st National Champion KBDB Large Middle Distance The name Deno-Herbots is a huge name world-wide in the pigeon sport, with an almost countless number of provincial victories. Go with Stefan Mertens into the impressive lofts of Jos Deno for his secrets behind the success of this legendary team... Take me to the report on Deno-Herbots...
	Marcel Aelbrecht and Erik Limbourg: Two Years in a Row the Best of Belgium This month our Belgian correspondent Stefan Mertens explores the phenomenal 2006 seasons of two extraordinary Belgian champions--Marcel Aelbrecht and Erik Limbourg. Their latest and greatest accomplishment is having won in both 2005 and 2006 the same national championships... Take me to the report on Marcel Aelbrecht and Erik Limbourg...
	Bernard Van Renterghem: 1st National Champion KBDB Middle Distance Old Birds In 2007, Bernard Van Renterghem won this widely coveted championship by an extremely large margin, greatly impressing all of Belgium's top fanciers. Explore Stefan's newest feature story to see how this middle-distance expert achieved such stellar results... Take me to the report on Bernard Van Renterghem...
	Stefan Mertens: 1st National Champion KBDB Middle Distance Youngbirds In addition to being in the know about the sport throughout Belgium and much of the rest of Europe, Stefan Mertens is himself a championship fancier. Read on for Ed's look into Stefan's lofts and methods, and what has made his birds achieve so much... Take me to the report on Stefan Mertens...
	Benny Steveninck: 8th National Champion KBDB Little Middle Distance 2006 and 10th National Champion KBDB Yearbirds 2006 Benny Steveninck has been in the pigeon sport only since 1998, but he is already a champion at the middle distance. Read on to see how he has amassed such a spectacular record in such a short time... Take me to Stefan Mertens' report on Benny Steveninck...
	National Winners 2006 - Part 3 Mertens completes his in-depth series of reports on the winners of the 2006 races in Belgium. Read on to learn some of the motivational secrets of these champions who represent the best of Europe's racing competition... Take me to Stefan Mertens' Part 3 report on the 2006 National Winners...
	National Winners 2006 - Part 2 This month, Mertens begins his series of reports on the winners of the national races in Belgium. Read on for the latest news on some of the champion fanciers who are well-known stars of the sport, as well as some new champions!... Take me to Stefan Mertens' Part 2 report on the 2006 National Winners...
	National Winners 2006 - Part 1 This month, Mertens begins his series of reports on the winners of the national races in Belgium. Read on for the latest news on some of the champion fanciers who are well-known stars of the sport, as well as some new champions!... Take me to Stefan Mertens' Part 1 report on the 2006 National Winners...
	Gevaert - Van Schoorisse: Hidden Gold From Flanders When Mertens is asked to name the champion among Belgian champions for short and middle distance, he is certain that one criterion for this distinction must be that the racing results of that champion have to improve from year to year. Read his report on some champions from the Flemish part of Belgium who fit that description... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jean-Pierre Gevaert and Carine Van Schoorisse...
	Andre and Patrick Desmet: 1st National Champion KBDB Long Distance Andre and Patrick Desmet--assisted greatly by Madeleine--make up a formidable team of Belgian champions, whose exacting methods with their birds have paid off beyond any fancier's wildest dreams. Read Stefan Mertens' in-depth report on these great champions at the long distance races... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Andre and Patrick Desmet...
	Herman DeSchepper and Marietta DeTemmerman: More Than Just One Season DeSchepper and DeTemmerman are a husband-wife team from Merelbeke, Belgium. As pigeon fanciers, their racing results are what many would call "a dream come true." Mertens goes behind the scenes to reveal the methods and the work behind this achievement... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about DeSchepper and DeTemmerman...
	Marcel and Pierre Loppe: National Champion Little Middle Distance KBDB 2005 Marcel and Pierre Loppe are a dynamic Belgian father-son partnership with phenomenal success in the racing of their birds, capped with a national championship in 2005. Read on for Stefan's insights into the methods and the bloodlines of these award-winning fanciers... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Marcel and Pierre Loppe...
	The Desbuquois Brothers: Every Day We Speak About Barcelona Michel and Didier Desbuquois are successful businessmen whose passion for the pigeons must be focused on only three challenging races, but what races they are! Read Stefan's report about the strategy these champions use to tackle the Barcelona International, the St. Vincent National, and the Perpignan International... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Michel and Didier Desbuquois...
	Marcel Aelbrecht: 1st General Champion K.B.D.B. 2005 Marcel Aelbrecht won the General National Champion designation from Belgium's K.B.D.B. in 2005, which as you'll see from Mertens' report, is an amazing accomplishment. Delve into Aelbrecht's methods, and understand why the rigors of this newly created national championship could only apply to what many consider Belgium's "best fancier"... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Marcel Aelbrecht...
	Thibaut-Boons: 1st National Champion K.B.D.B. Yearbirds 1st National Ace-Pigeon Middle Distance This month Mertens takes us to Sombreffe, Belgium, for a visit with Jean-Marc Thibaut, who in partnership with his wife Anne Sofie Boons had "the season of their dreams." Thibaut owns the largest pigeon shop in the Wallonie section of Belgium, but he flies from modest lofts with phenomenal results... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jean-Marc Thibaut...
	Erik Limbourg: 1st National Ace Pigeon Long Distance K.B.D.B. You may remember SiegelPigeons.com's first feature story about Erik Limbourg, but he's racked up a lot of other prestigious championships in the past several years. And he's re-designed his lofts. Read on for the latest news on the results sheet for this champion flyer and an inside tour of his new lofts... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Erik Limbourg...
	Boddaert - Van Damme: A Specialized Pigeon Vet with Top Results Want to know all the details about how a top Belgian racing pigeon expert and champion prepares his birds for Europe's biggest international races? Read on to find out how Dr. Wim Boddaert, of the Boddaert-Van Damme team, competes... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Dr. Wim Boddaert...
	National Winners 2005: Part 3 Mertens wraps up his report on the results of big 2005 races in Part 3 of a three-part report. Many of these names, you'll know. But others... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about the National Winners 2005, Part 3...
	National Winners 2005: Part 2 Our Belgian correspondent continues his report on the results of big 2005 races in Part 2 of a three-part report. Read on for more of the stories of these champion fanciers and their phenomenal pigeons... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about National Winners 2005, Part 2...
	National Winners 2005: Part 1 Our Belgian correspondent brings results of big 2005 races in Part 1 of a three-part report. Read on for the stories of these champion fanciers and their phenomenal pigeons... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about National Winners 2005, Part 1...
	Rik Cools: Strong with the Weaker Sex Rik Cools limits his number of ladies to only 24, but this champion fancier from Ruiselede, Belgium knows how to make these birds perform--with phenomenal results. Mertens explores the perfectionism with which Cools approaches the sport to reveal this flyer's dominance at the middle- and short-distance races... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Rik Cools...
	Roger Desmet-Matthijs: Champion from a Long Tradition of Champions Roger Desmet-Matthijs follows the tried and true methods he learned from a long line of elite pigeon fanciers in his family, with superb results. Read Stefan Mertens' in-depth report on to see how this top competitor is continuing in the tradition of champions... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Roger Desmet-Matthijs...
	Michel Van Lint: Fanatical and Successful Michel Van Lint's success formula is simple--superb birds housed in ideal lofts, managed by a top fancier with important help from his wife. Read on to see how paying attention to every detail results in truly amazing race records... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about the lofts of Michel Van Lint...
	The 2005 Olympiad in Porto, Portugal For a few days in January, the city of Porto on Portugal's stunning coast became "the center of the universe" for the racing pigeon sport and fanciers around the globe. Our European correspondent takes you there... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about the 2005 Olympiad in Porto, Portugal...
	Etienne and Frank Devos: National Champion Very Long Distance KBDB, 2004 The father-son partnership of Etienne and Frank Devos of Deerlijk, Belgium has everybody talking, and not just in West Flanders. Our European correspondent visits this powerhouse of a loft to explore their achievement as winners of the West European Super Marathon, 2004... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Etienne and Frank Devos...
	Luc Van Coppenolle: Winner of the West European Super Marathon, 2004 In 2003, Luc Van Coppenolle said that winning the general championship of the Entente Belge was nice, "but once in my lifetime I hope to win the West European Super Marathon." This came true just one racing season later. Read on to find out more about this exacting championship and how Luc Van Coppenolle succeeded in winning it... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Luc Van Coppenolle...
	Geert and Clara Philips: 1st National Champion KBDB 2004 Middle Distance, 4th National Champion KBDB 2004 Yearbirds, and 1st Olympiad Bird Porto Allround Belgium 2004 The loft of Geert and Clara Philips is known to many as "Mister Bourges"--so named after winning the Bourges national for the third time. This husband-wife partnership achieves such phenomenal results that people wonder if other fanciers' pigeons were even in the race... Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Geert and Clara Philips...
	Marcel Aelbrecht: The Fancier with the Little Basket Marcel Aelbrecht's 2003 racing season scored 1st national ace-pigeon K.B.D.B. long distance, 2nd general champion K.B.D.B., and 9th national champion K.B.D.B. long distance. If Aelbrecht is the fancier with the "little basket" how can this be true? This remarkable fancier is the subject of Mertens' report this month. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Marcel Aelbrecht...
	National Winners of Belgium 2004: Part 2 Stefan completes his report on the stars of the 2004 races in Belgium. Read on for the stories of these champion fanciers and their pigeons. Take me to Part 2 of Stefan Mertens' story about the National Winners of Belgium 2004...
	National Winners of Belgium 2004: Part 1 By September, the Belgian National winners' names are compiled, so this month, Stefan Mertens brings us all the big names and the birds that flew the best. Take me to Part 1 of Stefan Mertens' story about the National Winners of Belgium 2004...
	Gaby Vandenabeele: The Legend Asked who is the greatest Belgian fancier of today-- particularly at the 500 to 700 kilometer distance-- our Belgian correspondent would have to say it's Gaby Vandenabeele, the subject of Stefan Mertens' profile this month. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Gaby Vandenabeele, a living legend in the sport...
	Robert Van Eycken: Belgium's Marseille National Champion 2002 and Marseille International Champion 2003 The lofts of Robert Van Eycken are home to champions of the Marseille National 2002 and Marseille International 2003, and those in the know consider him to be in the top three among all of Belgium's most accomplished long-distance competitors. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Robert Van Eycken, Belgium's Marseille National Champion 2002 and Marseille International Champion 2003...
	Jef Vanwinkel: Belgian 1st National Champion Yearbirds - 2003 Jef Vanwinkel of Tielt-Winge, Belgium, is highly regarded by legendary champions like Gommaire Verbruggen and Jos and Jules Engels. In youngbirds, he was 2nd national champion in 2002, and he was 1st national champion in yearbirds in 2003. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jef Vanwinkel, 1st National Champion yearbirds for 2003...
	Wouters-Coremans: National Champion Short and Middle Distance, Youngbirds This husband and wife racing partnership in Langdorp, Belgium, is no newcomer to national titles, having won two of them in 1993, and a decade later having won the national title in youngbirds in short and middle distance. Also in 2003, the coveted "Gouden Duif Competitie" went to Langdorp. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jos and Maria Wouters-Coremans, 2003 National Champion Short and Middle Distance Youngbirds...
	Kees Bosua: National Champion Middle Distance, Netherlands "Results are the only thing that counts in the pigeon sport," according to Kees Bosua, National Champion at Middle Distance for the Netherlands. This month, our European correspondent Stefan Mertens takes us inside Bosua's cleverly-constructed lofts and discusses with Bosua his philosophy of the sport. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Kees Bosua, Dutch National Champion Middle Distance...
	Schoors - DeWaele: General National Champion Belgium After a great many years, Belgium's KBDB organized competition for a general national championship of all of Belgium. Needless to say, in the global hotbed of racing competition, the criteria are brutal. Stefan Mertens introduces us to Maurice DeWaele and Alex Schoors, who can call this glory their own. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Belgian general national champions Alex Schoors and Maurice DeWaele...
	Jos and Jules Engels: Nothing Better, Part 2 A fancier can certainly ask this question--Can better birds than the pigeons of Jos and Jules Engels be found? Our writer says that when you ask him, he must answer "no." Click on the link below to find out why our European correspondent is so impressed with the lofts of Jos and Jules Engels. Take me to Part 2 of Stefan Mertens' story about Belgian champions Jos and Jules Engels...
	Jos and Jules Engels: Nothing Better, Part 1 A fancier can certainly ask this question--Can better birds than the pigeons of Jos and Jules Engels be found? Our writer says that when you ask him, he must answer "no." Click on the link below to find out why our European correspondent is so impressed with the lofts of Jos and Jules Engels. Take me to Part 1 of Stefan Mertens' story about Belgian champions Jos and Jules Engels...
	Hok Jos Vercammen: Almost Unbeatable Between 300 and 700 km, Part 1 Hok Jos Vercammen thrives on racing in clubs where the competition is especially tough. Why? Because this makes his own strain very strong, and a lot of money is wagered on these races. Read on to find out how Vercammen has become nearly unbeatable at the 300-700 km distance. Take me to Part 1 of Stefan Mertens' story about Belgian champion Hok Jos Vercammen...
	National Winners Belgium - 2003: Part 2 This feature completes our Belgian correspondent's report on the 2003 Belgian races, which began with Cahors following a number of race cancellations related to avian influenza. Here's all the behind-the-scenes information about the fanciers and the birds that are the champions of this year's very difficult national and international races. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about National Winners Belgium - 2003, Part 2...
	National Winners Belgium - 2003: Part 1 The 2003 Belgian racing season got off to a difficult start, due to an outbreak of avian influenza, but once races got under way, the champions emerged. Read on for Part I of the season's best fanciers and best pigeons. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about National Winners Belgium - 2003, Part 1...
	Maurice and Luc DeLaere: 1st National Champion Middle Distance 2002 In rural Anzegem, Belgium, where farming and the textile industry are the mainstays of life, Maurice and Luc DeLaere are a father and son team whose efforts have produced a 1st National Champion Middle Distance. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Maurice and Luc DeLaere...
	Rainer Puttmann-- 1st Champion of Germany Long Distance Those on Germany's "pigeon battlefield" know no mercy. No matter to Rainer Puttmann, Germany's national champion Long Distance, who also publishes one of the best pigeon magazines in that country. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Rainer Puttmann...
	Freddy Vandenheede-- 1st General Champion East-Flanders Belgium's "Golden Triangle" is a very small area in East Flanders that boasts more than 11,000 pigeon racers. Stefan Mertens reports on Freddy Vandenheede--the 2002 1st General Champion--who triumphed over much of the world's stiffest racing competition. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Freddy Vandenheede...
	Silvere Toye-- The Man Whom Many Call The Best All-Round Champion of Belgium For more than 20 years, Silvere Toye of Otegem has earned top results on the very long-, long-, and middle-distance races, with old birds, yearlings, and youngbirds alike. And he has done so not only with widowers, but also with hens and youngsters. Read on, as Silvere tells our European correspondent about his winning methods. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Silvere Toye...
	Jean-Claude Debieve-- 2nd National Champion Middle Distance Jean-Claude Debieve is a legendary champion whose top results in the Belgian racing pigeon world are known around the globe. Stefan Mertens takes you into his loft and into his home in Hornu to explore the secrets of his success. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jean-Claude Debieve...
	Henri Menten-- 1st National Champion Youngbirds Short - Middle Distance Henri Menten's "Guylian" was 2nd Olympiad pigeon, South Africa--one of the world's most competitive pigeon races. Read on as Mertens takes you into the championship loft of this top Belgian fancier. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Henri Menten...
	Derweduwen -- Albert - Luc - Dirk: For Years, One of the Best Belgian Long-Distance Lofts Stefan Mertens explores Albert Derweduwen's success as a long-distance fancier based in Zingem, Belgium, in the province of East Flanders--clearly in the hotbed of the world's stiffest competition. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Albert Duweduwen...
	Joop Merx 1st and 2nd Orleans Joop Merx is a "small" fancier with huge results in this major European race. Read on for Stefan Mertens' report from Vaals about Merx's birds' fantastic performance in the 2002 50th anniversary race from Orleans, France. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Joop Merx...
	Gerard and Piet Lindelauf: "Janssen-Power from Holland" Situated in the most southern part of the Netherlands, the tiny town of Vijlen is Stefan Mertens' destination for a visit to the lofts of Gerard and Piet Lindelauf. In 2002, among their many prizes is national champion at the short distance in all of Holland. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Gerard and Piet Lindelauf...
	Eric Limbourg: The Wonder Boy from Belgium Eric Limbourg lives in a tiny village in the shadow of Brussels, but he is a keen competitor against the biggest European fanciers in the sport. Read Stefan Mertens' feature about Eric's championship record and how he has created it. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Eric Limbourg...
	The National Races in Belgium 2002 Our Belgian correspondent presents SiegelPigeons.com's readers with behind-the-scenes information about the fanciers and the birds that are the champions of this year's national races. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about the national winners...
	Boudewijn Jonckheere You are nowhere without a system This horticulturist in Torhout, Belgium, produces not only plants that are used all over Europe but also championship racing pigeons. Stefan Mertens visits a farm in West Flanders to learn how he does it. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Boudewijn Jonckheere...
	Georges and Fabian Carteus 1st National Champion Very Long Distance 2001 Among the many fanciers in Ronse, Belgium, who classified for the 2001 championship for very long distance, Georges and Fabian Carteus triumphed as 1st national champions. Stefan Mertens takes us to this province in East Flanders to explore their story. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Georges and Fabian Carteus...
	Van Damme - Boddaert 2nd National Champion Long Distance K.B.D.B. 2001 Want to explore the successful partnership of a veteran pigeon fancier widely known as "Reporter Gerry" and a veterinarian who's a world-reknown authority on pigeons and pigeon health? Stefan Mertens takes us to Oostkamp, Belgium, in this special report. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Herman Van Damme and Wim Boddaert...
	Jos Van den Brande National Champion Short-Middle Distance Youngbirds Our European correspondent visits the small village of Zoerle-Parwijs to bring you a report about this big talent in Belgian pigeon racing. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Jos Van den Brande...
	Kris Van Massenhoven 1st National Champion Short Distance A new name in the constellation of Belgian champions in the Sport? Maybe, but pay attention. Kris Van Massenhoven will be around for awhile. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Kris Van Massenhoven...
	Eddy Anckaert and Jean Meulemans Unknown…but at the top Stefan Mertens, our European correspondent, takes us into two winning Belgian lofts that many American fanciers may not have heard of. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Eddy Anckaert and Jean Meulemans...
	Eric Brootcoorens: Unknown…but at the top In 2001, Eric Brootcoorens won more than 30 first prizes. If you haven't heard of him before, you'll want to know more. Stefan Mertens, our European correspondent, takes you to Eric's loft for an insider's peek at an emerging championship loft. Take me to Stefan Mertens' story about Eric Brootcoorens...
	Piet de Weerd or The History of a Legendary Personality in the International Pigeon Fancy by Dirk Zoland One of the most widely-read articles from The Natural Winning Ways, is reproduced with kind permission. Learn the methods of a master. This story is in two parts. Take me to Part 1 of the story about Piet de Weerd... Take me to Part 2 of the story about Piet de Weerd...
	Etienne De Rauw - Frans Sablon Stefan Mertens takes us into the lofts of a brother-in-law team with a perfect marriage of skills that makes their racing team one of the most successful in Europe. Their lofts are not huge: this is a case of quality over quantity. Take me to Stefan Mertens' interview and profile of Etienne De Rauw and Frans Sablon...
	Ludo Claessens - Alone at the Top Ludo Claessens is a legend in the sport, and the great results just keep coming. A two-part special profile form our European correspondent Stefan Mertens. Take me to Stefan Mertens story about LudoClaessens...
	One of Long Island's Finest! Ed Minvielle reports of teamwork at its best: the tandem efforts of Dominick Caruso and Mark Sadowski. In two parts. Take me to Part I of Ed's story on Dom and Mark... Take me to Part II of Ed's story on Dom andMark...
	Raf Luyckx First Olympiad Pigeon - South Africa - Long Distance Belgium Learn about the rigorous challenges of the Olympiad, and meet fancier Raf Luyckx, who went to this level twice in six years! Stefan Mertens reports from Belgium. Take me to Stefan Mertens story about Raf Luyckx...
	National Winners in Belgium 2001 Stefan Mertens reports on national winners in the current Belgian racing season, with insights into the top performing lofts. In two parts. Take me to Stefan Mertens report on National Winners in Belgium... I've already read Part I, take me straight to Part II!...
	Van Cauter - Plas With Schellens Pigeons to the Top Take me to Stefan Mertens story about the Van Cauter-Plas loft...
	Willem DeZutter, All Round Champion Take me to Stefan Mertens' story on Willem DeZutter...
	Lou Coletta – A Master of the Game Take me to the feature story on Lou Coletta...
	Peter Sparacino - Eighty Years in the Sport Take me to the story about Peter Sparacino...
	Ferdi Lambrecht and Marcel Lismont Take me to Stefan Mertens' story on the Lambrecht-Lismont loft...
	Jan and Kees Bleeker – Top in the Netherlands Take me to Stefan Mertens' story on Jan and Kees Bleeker...
	Maurice and Gregory Casaert Take me to Stefan Mertens' story on the Casaerts...
	Ferry and Francine Lambrecht Take me to Stefan Mertens' story on the Lambrechts...
	Dr. Wim Boddaert on Pigeon Health Take me to Wim Boddaert interview...
	Dr. Charles Walcott on Homing Instincts Take me to Dr. Charles Walcott story...