The stage was set for a dramatic fourth and final day of fishing in the 10th annual IGFA Offshore World Championship. There were 43 teams participating in the event in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico representing 19 countries around the globe. The championship represents the largest international field of competitors in the world of offshore sport fishing and has earned the title of the sport’s "Olympics.”
After three days of fishing, the score board remained extremely close as several teams sat within striking distance of becoming the next Offshore World Champs. The Trinidad and Tobago team included 16 year-old Blue Marlin Junior World Record Holder Sean Mendonca, Derrick Tardieu, Mark Vilain and Clint Quong Sing, winners of the Ministry of Sport (MSYA), Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and Carib-sponsored 2008 TTGFA International "Marlin Madness" Game Fish Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.
The team continued to plug away at the fish, scoring two more releases on day three to bring their total to seven billfish releases after three days of fishing, worth 2,100 points. Their score placed them in a tie for the lead with the XLVI Torneio Annual de Peixes de Bico ICRJ-Brazil team going in to the final day.
The T&T Team was now hoping for their best day coming to the end of this prestigious four-day tournament. At one point on the final day, the Trinidad and Tobago Team took a clear lead and looked like they would become the 2009 IGFA Offshore World Champions. However, in the end, the team from the World Championship Billfish Release Tournament ended up with 4,200 points after catching several Marlin on the final day, and took the title.
The Presidential Challenge-Guatemala Team came in second with 3,000 points, the Brazil Team placed third with 2,700 points and the Trinidad and Tobago Team placed fourth with 2,400 points. Clint Quong Sing of Team Trinidad and Tobago placed third in the Best Angler category.
Report submitted by Steven Valdez, Trinidad & Tobago
