22,499 Pigeons Enter the First Long-Distance Race of the Season in Suceava and Botoșani

The 2026 racing season has entered the long-distance stage, and on May 23 fanciers from the Suceava and Botoșani branches competed in their first race of this category, with a liberation from Janów, Poland. Although some Suceava fanciers race long-distance events on a different route, no fewer than 22,499 pigeons were entered in this race, including 13,735 from Suceava and 8,764 from Botoșani.

The pigeons were liberated at 06:07, and the race conditions proved highly favorable, resulting in excellent returns.

Laurențiu Dumitraș Takes 1st place

The victory went to Laurențiu Dumitraș of Dorohoi, a member of the Dorohoi Club. At 80 years of age, the experienced fancier achieved one of the most significant successes of his career.

His winning cock, ring number RO-2023-1105656, covered the 529 km course at an average velocity of 1,455.59 m/min, securing 1st Open against the entire convoy. The result carries special significance for the Botoșani fancier, who has kept pigeons since childhood but has only been able to dedicate himself more intensively to competition in recent years. His loft is largely based on pigeons obtained from Paul Ostafe, carefully selected and developed over time within his own breeding program.

Interestingly, the winning cock was bred late in the season during 2024, despite carrying a 2023 ring. Originally, the bird had been bred for sale, but the buyer who had ordered a team of ten youngsters from Dumitraș ultimately decided not to complete the purchase.

Raced on the natural system, the cock was basketed while sitting approximately two-week-old eggs.

Florin Floriștean Wins the Fancier’s ranking

In the Fancier’s Classification, victory went to Florin Floriștean of Valea Moldovei, a member of the Gura Humorului Club.

Competing over a distance of 568 km, Floriștean entered 41 pigeons, all of which delivered an outstanding performance. His first two nominated team pigeons arrived simultaneously, taking 2nd and 3rd Open in the overall race ranking.

With a penalty coefficient of just 0.22 points, Florin Floriștean secured 1st place among the fanciers with a score that proved impossible to surpass.

His success, however, extended far beyond his nominated team. By the end of the race, the Suceava fancier had 29 pigeons in the prize list, including three birds ranked within the Top 10 Open.

 A competitor since 2019, Floriștean places particular emphasis on long-distance and marathon racing. For this event, his pigeons were prepared with a 50 km training toss and raced on the widowhood system, having been separated approximately two weeks prior to basketing.

In the Botoșani Branch, the Fancier’s Classification was won by Radu Chiribuc. 

Overall, the race was also distinguished by an excellent return rate. By the time the race was officially closed, more than 84% of the entered pigeons had already been clocked, confirming both the success of the event and a highly promising start to the long-distance racing season in the two branches.