The popular team emerges victorious in the closely contested event
VARADERO, ARUBA—In the 10th anniversary of the Presidential Aruba Caribbean Cup, a popular team proved that their local knowledge and emphasis on improving their skills prior to the event paid off handsomely. The Energy team started off in third place after Day One with 800 points, then added another 400 points on Day Two, still holding steady in third. Day Three smiled on the team though—another 900 points was enough to vault them into first place with 2,100 points, giving them a well-deserved victory in the Costa Team Division.
In second place was the Curacao-based team fishing aboard Heat, who also had a big third day. They tallied 1,700 points to finish in second place. Naira placed third with 1,500 points in another consistent performance.
In the Eagle Claw Top Angler standings, Bonny Croes was first with 1,200 points. Marcelo Hayden was second with 1,200 points and Yilson Iriarte was third with 900 points. For the event there were 54 billfish releases: 17 blue marlin, 19 white marlin and 18 sailfish, all on 30-pound test line and non-offset circle hooks.
About the Presidential Caribbean Cup
The popular tournament began in Venezuela in 2004 and hosted five events in that South American nation before being forced to leave due to political unrest. Upon relocating to Aruba, it quickly become one of the most prestigious events in the entire Caribbean thanks to the tremendous support received by the tournament’s sponsors as well as the government and people of Aruba. The format features three days of all-release billfishing and certified observers to verify the releases. The event host, the Presidential Challenge Conservation Series, is a 501c3 charitable organization; proceeds from the Presidential Aruba Caribbean Cup provide financial support to a number of important conservation projects currently underway by The Billfish Foundation and others around the world.
