What a finish on the South African Highveld! If anyone thought winter brings a quiet period to international pigeon racing, they clearly forgot to check in on the warriors flying at the Marlbank One Loft Race. On August 14, 2026, eyes across the global racing pigeon community turned to Sasolburg for a fiery 215 kilometer dash from Winburg.
Liberated under crisp, ice blue skies at 07:15 AM sharp, the convoy surged homeward across one of the most demanding terrains in the world. It turned out to be a pure masterclass in orientation, raw power, and fighting spirit.
Andre Fivaz Takes Top Honours
The absolute crown and glory of this Winburg race belong to Andre Fivaz. His ace athlete ZA 25 MAC 853 trapped on the pads at 09:54:36.460, registering an impressive winning speed of 1347.0531 meters per minute.
When margins are this razor thin, only pigeons built with true grit can stay out in front. Andre Fivaz proved his breeding loft has that extra gear.
Right behind the winner, an electric sprint unfolded for the remaining podium spots. International powerhouse combo Thone Pigeons & R&R Lofts grabbed silver with ZA 25 OERF 9830 at 1346.6284 m/min, while Skypilots locked down the bronze spot with ZA 25 VPU 2714 flying 1346.5722 m/min.
Official Top 10 Leaderboard: Marlbank OLR Winburg (14/08/2026)
Thanks to the precision of Benzing OneLoftRace timing, the arrival sequence gives us an undisputed picture of the day:
Live results and training logs verified via oneloftrace.live.
Why Marlbank OLR Tests True Character
Competing on the Highveld is a whole different ballgame compared to standard flatland racing with tailwinds. Sasolburg sits at roughly 1500 meters above sea level. Thin air, biting morning winds, intense African sun, and deceptive headwinds force every bird to dig deep into their reserves.
Only racing pigeons with indestructible constitutions, flawless plumage, and sharp orientation make the top ranks out here. That is why a bird that wins at Marlbank can hold its own anywhere in the world.
Why Marlbank One Loft Race is Pigeon Boss Approved
There is a solid reason why Marlbank was awarded the prestigious SANPO One Loft of the Year 2025 title. The entire setup represents everything modern pigeon racing needs:
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Transparent Technology: With the industry benchmark Benzing electronic timing system, every single toss, basketing, and arrival is broadcast live, leaving zero room for speculation.
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Exceptional Loft Management: Wayne McPherson and loft manager Johan Jonker manage the flock with tireless care and genuine passion. Johan lives among the birds, ensuring the athletes arrive at the start line in peak health.
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Global Fellowship and Value: Marlbank brings local South African masters together with international competitors from Europe, America, and Asia, making every victory prestigious and internationally respected.
Huge congratulations to Andre Fivaz and every fancier in the top ten! As the season rolls on toward the big final, the excitement is only getting hotter.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
