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0001 04 Oct 2009 09:07:38: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
NYNGAN 883 kms 4 October 2009 77 owners 799 birds Birds were released at 5.45am SA standard time. Weather at release was calm, fine and sunny. The birds left in one batch in 3 minutes. Weather observations around the area indicate at 7.30am SA standard time were Nyngan SW 4 kph, Cobar S 9/15 kph, Ivanhoe 6.30 am SE 6/9, 7.30 S 7/11. While the winds are light and are expected to remain so throughout the day, the birds have received very little assistance. With approx 13 hours of flying light it seems unlikely that they will make it on the day, however, with the full moon it would not surprise to see arrivals during the night. Good luck in todays final race of the season. Thank you for your support and encouragement through the year.
0002 27 Sep 2009 08:39:24: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
Marla 970 kms 27 September 2009 139 owners 1921 birds Birds were released at 6.35 am. Weather at the time was fine and sunny with a light SW drift. The main batch of birds left in 3 minutes. Approx 300 left after 15 minutes. Approx 20 birds are currently surveying the local prospects at Marla. The winds have eased considerably. Current obsevations at Oodnadatta indicate S 8 - 10 knots/15 kph, Coober Pedy S 9-11 knot. Forecasters suggest the winds will ease further as the day progresses. Anticipated time of arrival would be mid morning tomorrow (Monday).
0003 19 Sep 2009 08:10:36: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
Cobar Open 19 September 2009 107 owners/1162 birds Birds were released at 6.00am They left in one batch after 4 minutes. Convoyer reported fine and sunny weather with a very light East wind. The Victorian Federations were released half an hour later. Weather observations indicate Cobar 6.00am E wind 9 kph,6.30 E 6, 7.00 ENE 4. Wilcannia 6.30 NE 9, 7.00 NE 11, 7.30 NE 17; Ivanhoe 6.30 NNE 13, 7.30 N 15, B/hill 7.30 NNE 15, Mildura 7.30 N 13. The winds are assisting at the start and expected to swing through the N to NW and then closer to home become fresh WSW. With the assistance at the start it is expected that the leading birds will be home today.
0004 14 Sep 2009 10:19:35: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
Coober Pedy Open 14 Sept 2009 187 owners 3007 birds Birds released at 6.40 am. Weather was fine and sumnny 10 - 12 Kt SE wind. Birds left in one batch in 4 minutes Coober Pedy Cock Bird Special 67 owners 391 birds Birds released at 7.10 am. They left in one batch in 5 minutes. Anticipated arrival time for open race is either very late today or early Tuesday morning. Cock Birds race are more likely to be early Tuesday morning.
0005 05 Sep 2009 07:59:07: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
Wilcannia 5 September 2009 Birds released at 6.45 am. They all left together in 4 minutes. Weather at the time was fine and sunny with a 10 - 12 kph W wind. Wind observations around release time indicate Broken Hill calm, Mildura NW 7-9, Renmark W 11. We are lacking in weather stations so more difficult to give observations directly along the course. Estimate of flying time is nearer the 9 hour mark.
0006 04 Sep 2009 12:48:23: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
Wilcannia % September 2009 159 owners, 2453 birds Birds are expected to be released around 6.45am - 7.00am weather permitting. At this stage the various weather sites are not all in agreement. It appears that the most likely scenario is very light S/SW at the start with the wind swinging light W through the morning and then NW/WNW in the afternoon. An early estimate would be around the 8 hour mark.
0007 04 Sep 2009 07:37:01: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA SRC,
Alice Springs 1330km Fri 4th Sept. 222 birds 55 owners.The birds were released at 07.00 into sunny clear conditions with a 5/7km hr S/SE wind.The birds travelled well and were settled at the release point by 1.30 Thursday afternoon.They fed and watered well on the journey and had water available till release.The birds did not circle and were clear of the release sight in 2 minutes heading south.Goodluck to all competitors. The weather remains as posted below with Saturday possibly having more NW/W than North.
0008 31 Aug 2009 18:30:13: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA SRC,
Hampering for Alice Springs will go ahead Tuesday 1st Sept from 6.30pm at SAHPA HQ,Baulderstone Rd. Fridays weather (0-1500ft) at Alice Springs, as advised direct from the Weather Burea, is for SE/SW winds under 10knots,max temp low 20,s all the way to around Glendambo.On Saturday it will start with 10-15knots NE/NW and freshen as the day proceeds with max temp from Glendambo-Adelaide at under 20deg.
0009 30 Aug 2009 08:40:47: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
The Twins 30 August Birds released at 7.20am They broke into two batches and both left in four minutes. Weather at release was fine with a light 0 - 5 knot W wind. The wind on route home is expected to be SSW in the earlier part and gradually swinging W as the day progresses. Possibility of the flight time being in the 8 - 9 hour range.
0010 28 Aug 2009 21:03:02: Posted by RELEASE PANEL from SAHPA,
The Twins 29 August 2009 222 owners, 4110 birds Birds are expected to be released on Sunday morning as soon as possible weather permitting. Likely release time 7.00am or 7.15am. Birds are expected to encounter a light southerly at the start and then SW to W later in the day. Anticipate an all day fly of 9 hours plus.