GULF RASCAL »WINS THE FISHING EVENT 2009
The fourth edition of the Fishing Event was held in Sint-Maarten between May 27th and May 31st-2009. The event has now become the largest cash prize fishing tournament in the region, with prizes paid both in a daily and grant prize format. Whether for fishing and partying, a great time was had by all participants and visitors.
Bertrand Lacotte, President of the Fishing Event Foundation, is the organizer of this annual event. This year’s edition was hosted at Yacht Club Port de Plaisance in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. The tournament is now an official Sint-Maarten event and has started to grow in importance for the island. But as Bertrand said: “nothing is possible without the support of many partners”. “We would like to thank the Sint Maarten Tourism Office, Casino Royale, Delta Petroleum, Telem Group, Pelican Marina Residences, BMW, Nagico Insurance, Windward Island Bank, Cartier, Yamaha, Island Water World, Antillean Liquors, Carib, Bacchus, Golfe Car Rental, Golden Eyes Club and Ballerina Jewellers for their assistance and tireless support, and by offering a tremendous amount of attractive discounts to all participants”.
The Fishing Event is also a qualifying tournament for the prestigious IGFA World Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas and all teams were very excited to learn that Dan Jacobs, the championship tournament’s director was attending this year’s Fishing Event to film a pilot fishing show, which will air on Versus Network in the USA … A great exposure for Sint-Maarten and for the participants…
This year teams attended the event ranging from the States to Trinidad, with most Caribbean Islands involved. Each team was a serious contender to win the competition, and most were in contention until the last day! The tournament had nail biting competition, professionally run vessels, and the “la crème de la crème” of teams. This combined with good weather and sea conditions that were fair (even though the colour was a bit green and reduced the number of catches), all added up to a very exciting and unique competition on Marlin Boulevard in Sint-Maarten!
Best Boat/Team of Day 1 was Team Gulf Rascal from the United States with 2 blue marlin releases, with Team Cartier of St Barths close behind with 1 billfish released.
Best Boat/Team of Day 2 was Team Princess of St Maarten with 1 blue marlin released and a blue marlin landed. Weight of the fish was measured at 427 pounds. Team Cartier, was again close behind with another blue marlin. With Day 2’s results, the pressure was now on Team Gulf Rascal which had the same number of points, 900 with Team Cartier. Team Princess was also in the “club” of contenders with 877 points.
Day 3 started with Team Princess hooking a bill fish but unfortunately it was lost. A bit later, Team Limited Edition of Martinique called in their first hook up which was made by Barbara Prot, one of the two female anglers of the tournament. She released a blue marlin estimated at 350 pounds. After this release, no other activity was recorded and Team Limited Edition was declared the Best Boat/Team of Day 3.
The final results put Team Gulf Rascal in first place with the US$ 35.000 cash prize, Team Cartier in second place with US$15.000 and Team Princess in third place with US$10.000. Best female angler prize went to Barbara Prot who won a beautiful Micher Herbelin watch from Ballerina Jewelers in Philipsburg.
“Great ambiance, unmatched night life, and top teams in the competition, all ensure that we’ll be back in Sint-Maarten next year for the 5th edition of the Fishing Event with more teams from the United States”, said Team Gulf Rascal.
Dates of the Fishing Event 2010 are between May 27th and June 6th-2010. Visit www.the-fishing-event.com to get fresh news of the Fishing Event in Sint-Maarten or email to Bertrand Lacotte at fishingevent@orange.fr !
