QUEPOS, Costa Rica (From OWC) — After setting a world record for most billfish released in a tournament, it wrapped up with a total of 2,840 billfish releases, which included 2,822 sailfish, fourteen blue marlin, two black marlin and two striped marlin. There were 13 qualifying dolphin, 3 wahoo and 1 tuna weighed over the 25-pound minimum by the time the scales closed on the final day.

The competition was tough and with less than 10 minutes to go in the tournament only a few hundred points separated the top three teams. Two of those teams hooked up with 5 minutes left and ended up tied at lines out with 13,400 points each. After final review, the Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament team released their final fish 3 minutes before the team from Torneio de Marlin do Rio de Janeiro to claim the tie breaker and win the championship. The team of American anglers qualified by winning the Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament in Bermuda. The team caught 67 sailfish for a grand total of 13,400-points to win the 16th Annual 2015 Offshore World Championship (OWC). The anglers include Taylor Beckford, Rob Moore, David Bearard and Frank Rodriguez.

For their accomplishment the teams received custom Championship rings from Vanmark Jewelry, Geoffrey Smith Bronze Trophies, Accurate Reels, Garmin Elite Virb Cameras, Guy Harvey limited edition prints, AFTCO Championship Apparel, Flor De Cana Premium Rum and Costa del Mar sunglasses. As champions, they will also have the opportunity to apply to compete in the tournament for many years to come.

Team member Taylor Beckford also picked up the 5th place angler award by releasing 24 sailfish for a total of 4,800 points.

The second place team from Brazil, which qualified for the OWC by winning the Torneio de Marlin do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scored a total of 13,400 points from 67 sailfish releases. Teammates included Marcelo Rodrigues, Joso Paulo Costa, Alberto Faria, Eduardo Castro and Luis Andre Rodrigues.

The third place team, also from Brazil, which qualified for the OWC by winning the Torneio de Pesca Open 25, Brazil, scored a total of 13,300 points from 64 sailfish releases and one blue marlin. Anglers included Eurico Soares, Vicente Arruda, Alberto Quintaes, Marco Lips and Flavio Reis.

Overall Standings

Top Teams

1st Place 13,400-points, Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament, Bermuda

2nd Place 13,400-points, Torneio de Marlin do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

3rd Place 13,300-points, Torneio de Pesca Open 25, Brazil

Top Boat/Captain 1st Place Tuna Bite – Captain Howard Lynch, 15,600-points

Based on best three days of fishing out of four.

Top Six Anglers

1st Carlos Louro, VIII Blue Marlin Race Do CNL, 7,500-points from 35-sailfish releases and one blue marlin.

2nd Christian Del Campo, Texas Women Anglers Tournament, 5,425.7-points from 27-sailfish and one 25.7-pound dolphin.

3rd Albert Earl Klein III, Savannah Sport Club Bluewater, 5,000-points from 25-sailfish.

4th Rafael Brigham, VIII Blue Marlin Race Do CNL, 4,800-points from 24-sailfish.

5th Taylor Beckford, Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament, 4,800-points from 24-sailfish.

6th Corina Armando, Trofeu Marlins Bue, 4,400-points from 22 sailfish releases.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dan Jacobs, Tournament Director dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com (407) 571-4680

Lynda Wilson, Asst. Tournament Director lynda.wilson@bonniercorp.com (407) 571-4517