The wrap up

The power went out for 4 hours, the wind really picked up and this blogger had to take cover - sorry for the delay.

So lets end the Contender ABC Blog with a recap:

The 2cnd Annual Contender Avalon Billfish Classic was a smashing success. The event grew in one year from 9 teams to 24 teams with a healthy mix of both amateur teams and professional teams. The prize money grew as well with the tournament paying out over 113,000.00.

Day 1 started off hot for the amateurs with El Diablo hooking up first. The quick catch and release locked up El Diablo to sweep the amateur daily jackpot for day one and ultimately take home first place in the amateur division. In the pro division Chiqelin, with Captain "Beak" hooked up three times throughout the day allowing the team to sweep the daily jackpot prize money and vault them into first place.

Day 1 also held some excitement from Snake Dancer, an Contender/Yamaha team from the East Coast. Using a familiar set of fishing techniques from the East Coast, Snake Dancer used kites and balloons to land hook up. Snake Dancer closed out the tournament with a second place finish overall.

Day 2 was filled with harsh winds, rough waters and fewer bits. A couple of teams did make a last ditch run at the title. Gambler, West Coast Contender both entered the afternoon hot catching 3 and 2 marlin respectively. But the Beak on Chiqelin, held both teams off catching one marlin and ensuring his first place finish. That written, Gambler secured the day two jackpot propelling them into 3rd place.

Day 2 for the amateurs was not as strong. The rough waters and winds made it a tough day on the water for all the No Fear teams.

For a complete wrap up of prize money, teams and finishes please go to www.catalinaclassic.com

For some great pictures and video of this event please go to www.sportfisherman.com

If you enjoyed this blog please come back and follow the Riviera Zane Grey here with day to day commentary (hoping that the power does not go out again). Just go to: http://zanegrey2007.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your time and hope you enjoyed the blog.