Blue Haven Marina
Blue Haven Resort and Marina proudly announces its sponsorship of the 18th Annual Caicos Classic IGFA Billfish Release Tournament, taking place from June 28 through July 1. Local and visiting anglers are invited to compete for the coveted first place spot, qualifying them to represent the Turks and Caicos in the 2014 IGFA Offshore World Championship to be held in Costa Rica (www.igfaoffshorechampionship.com).
Serving the TCI community for more than 17 years, proceeds from this year’s Caicos Classic will benefit The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre as well as The Billfish Foundation (TBF). Last year’s event hosted Peter Chaibongsai, The Billfish Foundation’s Director of Science and Policy and again this year TBF returns, along with world renowned underwater videographer, Tony Ludovico. They will be available to meet spectators and guests during the duration of the tournament and Tony will be handing out signed prints of some of his incredible underwater shots.
The events kick off on Friday, June 28 with the reception at Blue Haven’s newly opened bar and grill, SALT. Registration begins at 5 p.m. sharp, followed by the Captains’ Meeting and an evening of entertainment, all the while enjoying complimentary food and drink provided by SALT. Registered teams will fish June 29, 30 and July 1 – lines in at 8 a.m. and lines out at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, social evenings will be held at Tiki Hut Island Eatery and Baci Ristorante.
The event will culminate in an awards ceremony and after party, also hosted by Blue Haven Resort and Marina at SALT, on Monday July 1 at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three angling teams, top anglers, top captain and more, as well as largest tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a welcome drink will be offered followed by music into the night. Participants and guests will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items and purchase raffle tickets from June 28 through to the awards evening on July 1. Prizes have been graciously donated by many local businesses, including Grace Bay Club, Panoply Sport Fishing & Charters, Island Scoop, The Atabeyra, The Regent Palms, Mudjin Harbour Bar & Grill, Tiki Hut Island Eatery, Beach House and many more. Winners will be announced following the presentation of the tournament awards.
Tournament Director Art Pickering stated, “We are very excited about Blue Haven’s sponsorship for this year’s Caicos Classic and the opportunity to continue to grow the tournament while preserving the history and tradition that surrounds it. This year’s event promises to welcome more boats and special guests as well as more raised funds for our charities. The support and commitment from Blue Haven, their newly renovated facilities and their plans for further development will certainly help the Classic on its way.”
TCI residents are invited to come join and learn about sport fishing and conserving the marine environment, share the excitement of watching the big catch weigh-ins, meet and greet our guests, The Billfish Foundation and videographer Tony Ludovico, and hear fishing stories of the billfish released earlier in the day.
Blue Haven Marina highlights include:
· Hassle-free berthing in the Turks & Caicos
· 78 berths for yachts up to 220 feet, with a max draft of 8 feet at mean low tide
· 25 slips for boats up to 40 feet in the separated resort marina
· Blue Haven Resort amenities available to marina guests including SALT Bar & Grill, showers and restroom facilities, chart room, pool, gym and more
· 15-minute drive from the international airport (75 minutes from Miami; 3-hour flight from NYC)
· Marina concierge will cater to crews and guests with exclusive itineraries and planned activities
· Highly secured marina docks to ensure privacy
· Marina Operations Center featuring first-class crew and captain facilities
· Black-and-grey water pump outs
· Power 30/50/100 amp, 3 phase, up to 480V
· Fresh water
Adam Foster, general manager of Blue Haven Marina states, “The fishing grounds at our ‘doorstep’ are excellent this time of the year. We have just been awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) for our dedication to the island’s environmental sustainability, so a billfish tag-and-release tournament sits very well with our environmental ethos.”
To register for the tournament, please visit: caicosclassic.tc/registration
To reserve your berth at Blue Haven Marina, contact:
Adam Foster, Marina General Manager
[email protected]
T 649.946.9910
**www.bluehaventci.com
**
Eligible anglers may also enter the IGY Million Dollar Sportfish Challenge through the marina manager at Blue Haven. This IGFA all-tackle world record catch contest takes place from select marinas in the IGY network and runs from May through December 2013. For more information, visit www.igymarinas.com.
ABOUT IGY
With yachting destinations spanning the Americas, IGY has redefined the luxury marina experience. Founded in 2005, IGY focuses on acquiring, managing, and servicing luxury-yacht marinas and lifestyle destinations. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, IGY also has offices in New York, NY and St. Thomas, USVI. Island Global Yachting marinas operate under the signature Yacht Haven Grande Collection and the IGY series brands, as well as several private labels. IGY’s network of properties is setting new standards for service and quality in nautical tourism throughout the world. The company now offers an unprecedented collection of 13 marinas in the Caribbean, Pacific and the Americas, all catering to a variety of vessel types including sportfishers, cruisers, sailing & motor yachts, as well as being exclusive home ports for some of the world’s largest megayachts. IGY also participates in 10 of the world’s biggest and best sportfishing tournaments, making our marinas in Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, St. Thomas USVI, Turks & Caicos, Panama and Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico highly sought-after angler destinations. IGY is an affiliate of Island Capital Group LLC, a real estate merchant banking firm led and founded by Andrew Farkas, former chairman of Insignia Financial Group. For more information, please visit www.igymarinas.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Bensimon
Marketing & Sales Manager
IGY Marinas
T: 954.332.2398
[email protected]
**
CAICOS CLASSIC**
MEDIA CONTACT: Delphine Hartshorn Marketing, Caicos Classic Committee
T: 649.432.3566
[email protected]
