The Battle of Vrpolje: A Double Victory and a Heavenly Greeting Close Out Talent Quatro’s 13th Season!

What a season, what a finale, and what a sport! Our 13th season at OLR Talent Quatro has officially come to an end.

Six tough races were on the schedule, capped off by the ultimate showdown from the Croatian village of Vrpolje: a solid 510 kilometers from home!

Back in early August, right after the race from Gols, we were holding our breath. Temperatures were soaring close to 40°C, making flying simply out of the question. But fortune favors the bold! Our patience was rewarded with a fantastic weather window: Pápa on August 24, Sármellék on August 30, and Szigetvár on September 7. Three absolute triumphs in a row!

When the weather gods suddenly handed us two flawless days, we put all our cards on the table. And we were spot on! Our aerial athletes were primed with top tier conditioning: high energy mixes from Gold Wings, enriched by us with crushed peanuts, shelled sunflower seeds, and fine seeds. Around the loft, they flew like their lives depended on it, effortlessly logging 85 minutes of nonstop training. Pure class!

Fog, Patience, and a Flawless Release

The only potential party pooper? Morning fog at the liberation site. When we arrived just after midnight, the night sky was crystal clear, but on Tuesday morning, September 15, 2026, Vrpolje got blanketed in fog. The pigeons received a light feeding and fresh water while our starter, Filip Pudič, stayed glued to his phone.

Just ten kilometers down the road in Dakovo, conditions were completely clear. So we waited until 9:15 AM for the fog to lift in Vrpolje. As the haze cleared, blue skies invited our birds forward, and they set off on course without a moment’s hesitation. Twelve top performers carried GPS chips, and sure enough, before we even left the site, our phones showed the flock powering straight over Dakovo!

They were given no free passes along the way. Zero tailwind; the wind socks along the highway hung straight down. No wind, at best a few light variable breezes, and ideal temperatures capped at 25°C.

You couldn’t ask for a fairer test over 510 kilometers!

A Dream Result with a Tear

Meanwhile, the grounds of Talent Quatro in Šternberk were packed to capacity. The excitement was electric! Everyone knew that the birds dominating the shorter distances wouldn’t necessarily lead the pack on a grueling 510 km test.

At 17:13:19, the crowd went silent. In the distance, a lead group of seven athletes appeared. They made a beeline straight for the loft. Who claimed the glory?

A massive surprise: 1st AND 2nd place were captured by Slovakian fancier Pavel Paulík! A historic double victory!

Yet joy and sorrow walk hand in hand in our sport. Shortly after their arrival, devastating news arrived from Slovakia: Mr. Paulík had passed away in July, leaving no one behind to continue his breeding program. These two champion pigeons delivered one final, unforgettable greeting from the heavens to his family and friends.

After that, birds rained down at regular intervals. Joyful shouts, loft jargon, emotion, and an atmosphere only the finest racing days can deliver. By 6:00 PM, when we returned to the loft, the gratitude from fanciers kept pouring in. On day one, 114 pigeons made it back home. The very last warrior, a pigeon from the Polish team Sedlacek & Pacek, clocked in at 19:59:53 in total darkness!