Barcelona Masters 2026 Prize Winners

The 29th edition of the Barcelona Masters champions’ celebration once again turned out to be a wonderful event. With the exception of a few members who were unable to attend due to illness or holidays, all members, accompanied by their wife/partner, were present for the annual prize-giving ceremony and tribute to the winners.

A total of 195 people attended the festive banquet at restaurant and function venue “’t Biezemhof” in Aalter. After the aperitif, chairman Emiel Denys took the floor to open the afternoon programme and honour the members who ranked among the 2026 (inter)national winners: Carlos & Xavier Vandemeulebroucke, Nicu Barbulescu, Steph. Depasse-Lardenoye and Chris Hebberecht.

Jacques Mestdagh then took over and conducted the remainder of the day’s ceremony honouring the prize winners.

In the competition with the first nominated pigeon, Dina Sierens from Rumbeke (with the 3rd entered pigeon of Christiaens-De Smedt) took first place, ahead of Marc Lievens from Balen and Ulrich Lemmens from Balen. In this competition, 50% of the members managed to qualify.

In the 1 + 2 competition, victory went to Dirk Christiaens – Kristel De Smedt from Roosdaal, ahead of Marc Lievens and Ulrich Lemmens. In this category, 22% of the members succeeded in placing their 1 + 2 pigeons in the national result.

In the tandem competition (with the first nominated pigeon), victory went to Team Verschoot from Ingelmunster, together with Marc De Vadder from Haaltert.

In the ladies’ competition, Mrs W-H-J Dekeyser from Koekelare was the winner.

The many congratulations and expressions of appreciation addressed to the committee once again showed that the members had thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful afternoon.

For those already making holiday plans for next season, we can announce that the prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 3 October 2027.

Many thanks to J. De Meulemeester for the photographs.