The 2023 Bermuda Billfish Release Cup was postponed for one day this year due to unsafe weather conditions, making the tournament a one-day shootout on July 11th.
The team fishing aboard Lunatico, a 63-foot Titan, released one blue marlin during an exceptionally tough day of fishing to win first place in the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup. Capt. Corey Gillespie, with mate Neil Ashley on the rod, persisted through less-than-ideal weather to raise money for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation this year. Waste Knot placed second and Just A Dog finished in third. The awards ceremony, silent auction, and prize distribution occurred at the Bonefish Bar & Grill, renowned for its delectable cuisine and the island’s finest brisket.
The Bermuda Billfish Release Cup is a laid-back, enjoyable tournament that supports the Bermuda Sloop Foundation Adam Goodwin Master Mariner Scholarship program. Mark Goodwin delivered an impassioned speech expressing the significance of the scholarship in launching many youth careers in the marine industry. Since its establishment, the foundation has sponsored more than 7,000 students through the program, and the participants’ collective $5,000 contribution from the tournament once again contributed to a full scholarship.
To kick off the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup tournament, an exciting nine-hole mini golf team competition took place at the Bermuda Fun Golf Course. In the Fun Golf Competition, Team El Cazador emerged victorious after a thrilling 3-way “putt off” tie breaker, and team captain Paul Alderman was awarded the prestigious green jacket. Team Just A Dog secured the second position, while Waste Knot earned third place. The winners of the golf competition were presented with personalized Bermuda cedar engraved boxes.
For more information about the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup or the Bermuda Triple Crown, contact tournament director Jennifer Dudas via email at [email protected].
Bermuda Billfish Release Cup Sponsors:
Bermuda Tourism Authority, WEDCO, Royal Naval Dockyard, The West End, Guy Harvey, Goslings, Costa, Yeti, Garmin, Spar Yard Marine Solutions, Coastal Carolina Cutting Boards, Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Bonefish Bar & Grill, Bermuda Fun Golf, Pier 41, IWS ScaleMaster, Marlin, Salt Water Sportsman, Sport Fishing and Out Your Front Door.
About Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship:
An angler’s dream, the pursuit of world-record-class blue and white marlin draw some of the finest sport-fishing vessels in the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean regions to the island nation of Bermuda each summer to compete in the prestigious Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. The three legs of the Bermuda Triple Crown are the Bermuda Billfish Blast, the Bermuda Big Game Classic, and the Sea Horse Anglers Club Bermuda Billfish Tournament. The champion is determined by the highest overall combined points of all three tournaments. At stake is a sizable cash purse, Champion’s rings, as well as the bragging rights of being named Bermuda Triple Crown Champions.
