99 releases in four fishing days

International Billfish Tournament reports 99 releases in four fishing days

With 99 releases, the 56th edition of the International Billfish Tournament of Club Náutico de San Juan successfully concluded. Out of 46 registered boats, 40 of them released. "Almost all competing boats reported action on board," said Gonzalo M. Ferrer, Chairman of the 56th edition. The Rum Bum, which traveled from the United States specially for the Tournament, kept its winning place since the second day of competition and won with six releases (2,400 points), followed by local boats Bimba and Reel Affair, each with five releases (2,000 points). Local angler Carlos Ramirez won the first position as angler when in the last few moments he hooked and released two marlins that, along with other previous two pieces, pushed him to the winning position with 1,600 points, followed by visiting angler Doug Covin, and local anglers Jorge Pavia and Nicolas Carvajal, all of them with three releases each (1,200 points). The most coveted International Winning Team award went to United States 05 with Doug Covin, Luis Bacardi and Salim Merheb. They received an entry for three anglers to participate in the Rolex/IGFA International Championship to be held in Cabo San Lucas on 2010, and three plane tickets to Panama courtesy of Copa Airlines. The Guatemala angling team composed by Antonio "Che" Kozina, Juan Cobar, Jr. and Midel Gómez, came in second position for the International category, followed Venezuela with lady anglers: María Rivera, Carolina Figueredo and Ivette Rodríguez. In fact, the Best Lady Angler award went to local angler, Maria Rivera with two releases or 800 points. From IBT.