An outstanding total of 78 billfish were released by an international contingent of anglers competing in the 54th Annual International Billfish Tournament.
Fished out of Club Nautico de San Juan in Puerto Rico, August 16 to 22, tournament chairman, Luis Infanzón, said, “We were extremely satisfied with our anglers’ participation and performance. Hurricane Dean slowed us down a bit, but thankfully our fishing days were great. The climate fared in our favor and we had a wonderful tournament.”
Harry Sargeant, from Boca Raton, Florida, placed first in the Overall Angler category with a total of 1,750 points and earned the International Angler Award. “It’s attention to detail,” Sargeant said of his success. “Let’s just say I don’t fish from the salon.”
Puerto Rico’s Luisa León won first place in the Local Anglers category with a total of 1,350 points. Fellow island anglers, Gilberto Cruz and Mario Lao, won second and third place, respectively, with 900 points each. León also triumphed in the Female Anglers’ category with her 1,350 points.
Alberto Gual’s Pink Lady topped the Best Boat category with 2,250 points, followed by Sin Prisa in second place with 1,800 points and Idabe in third place with 1,800 points.
In Interclub Team category, first place went to Team Arecibo 01 represented by María Cedeño, José León and Luisa León with 1,350 points. Team Ponce 01, with Enrique Petrovich, Hirám Quiñones and Hipólito Rivera, came in second place with 1,350 points, while Team San Juan Bay Marina 01 composed of Javier Berríos, Eduardo Bertrán and David Iglesia rounded out the top three with 900 points.
Team USA 06, made up of Rafael Brito, Michael McCarthy and Harry Sargeant, took home the coveted Best International Team Award with their 1,750 points. Team Venezuela 01, composed of Alexis Barbosa, Pablo Dominicone and Cristina García, followed in second place and Team Turkey 01, with Craig Keneipp, Pedro Pons and Ali Yilmaz ended in third place.
“Our international participation this year has been the strongest in the last years, demonstrating that the tournament keeps getting stronger,” Infanzón said.
Two hundred and thirty-six anglers from 11 countries and fishing aboard 79 boats took part in this 54th edition of the International Billfish Tournament.
“The dedication and hard work that goes into putting on this tournament each year, along with our distinguished organizing committee, are what maintain our internationally-recognized leadership in this category of tournament”, concluded Infanzón, who will remain in the Director’s seat for next years’ 55th edition.
