No stranger to the winner’s circle, Brooks Smith led his team aboard Uno Mas, a 77-foot Willis, to victory in the 2022 Bermuda Billfish Release Cup. Smith’s wife, Maria, was their angler on two blue marlin to seal the deal, also capturing top angler honors as well. C-Student, a 66-foot Viking with Capt. Kenny Blackman at the helm, placed second with one blue marlin for angler Denise Megarty. El Cazador landed in third with one blue marlin for Sarah Ricks. The awards dinner, silent auction and awards presentation took place at the Bonefish Bar and Grill.
The Bermuda Billfish Release Cup was postponed for a few days this year due to unsafe sea conditions, with the tournament moving to a one-day shootout on July 13. The tournament benefits the Bermuda Sloop Foundation Adam Goodwin Master Mariner Scholarship program. Last year’s recipient of the scholarship, Adam Zuiit, gave a passionate speech about what the scholarship meant to him and how it is launching him into a career in the marine industry. The foundation has put over 7,000 students through the program since its inception with the generosity of the participants once again providing funding for a full scholarship.
The tournament kicks off with a best ball nine-hole mini golf team competition at the incredible Bermuda Fun Golf Course. Team El Cazador won in a “putt off” tie breaker with Paul Alderman receiving the green jacket. Mama Who placed second and Just a Dog earned third. Winners of the golf competition received custom Bermuda cedar engraved goblets and Guy Harvey limited edition prints.
The event recognizes and thanks its many sponsors, especially Bermuda Tourism Authority.
