HIBT news
For Immediate Release
An International field of anglers composed of multiple teams from the USA, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand; and Papua, New Guinea, Singapore, South Africa and Vanuatu plus new HIBT entrants from Portugal and Russia, will compete in the iconic 53rd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona starting Mon. (8/13.)
Captains and crews of the 40 selected boats competing in one of the oldest tournaments on the planet gathered at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel on Fri. (8/10) and were welcomed by Peter Fithian, HIBT Founder and tournament staff, where rules and procedures were reviewed.
“Each year, the Big Island of Hawai’i extends a warm welcome to the participants and their families,” Fithian commented. “HIBT appreciates their more than a century of heartfelt support. We are proud of our time-tested event that provides anglers from many nations to participate, sharing in the excitement of pursuing one of the largest fish in the ocean &hellip blue marlin.” continued Fithian, “And we will welcome an International Field of Anglers consisting of 40 teams to fish the 2012 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.”
The Great Marlin Race, sponsored by Stanford University and International Game Fish Association, was described to the Captains and crews by Bob Kurz. To become part of The Great Marlin Race, teams competing in the tournament may sponsor a pop-up satellite archival tag. The tags are programmed to pop off after 120 days; they float to the surface, transmitting data to the lab via the Argos satellite system. The fish that has traveled the farthest is declared the winner – and the team that tagged it will receive free admission to the following year’s tournament. The top three for 2011: Marlin Magic ll, Captain Marlin Parker, 2,188 nautical miles, Ihu Nui, Captain McGrew Rice, 1,782 nautical miles and Strong Persuader, Captain Guy Terwilliger, 1,053 nautical miles.
Teams from the four corners of the world still consider this iconic recreational angling event worth all the inconveniences and obstacles that exist for travelers in today’s world. When asked, all the participants seem to agree. This is one of the most important sportfishing tournaments left that remains unchanged. It allows sportfishers to compete on a level playing field which just happens to be one of the most prolific bodies of water found anywhere in the United States. And the 53rd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament festivities are now underway! Headquarters and retail stores are open; silent auctions begin, then there is the parade and opening ceremony, and even “Shouting Rooms” are set up and open each afternoon after weigh-in where teams can meet and share fishing tales. Some teams not only bring their own interpreters, but they bring their cheerleaders as well! It’s a tournament unlike any other!
–– Source: Graham Communications
