Cap Cana, DominicanRepublic – The third and final leg of the 2015 Dominican Triple-Header Billfishtournament series came to a close with North Carolina’s Contango as the serieswinners.
The series, whichstarted last March during the Casa de Campo International Blue Marlin Classicand continued during the second leg at the International Cap Cana BillfishShootout in June, came to a close at the Cap Cana Classic last weekend. Six boats participated in this, its firstannual edition.
“It was perseveranceand attention to detail that ultimately earned us victory” explained a jubilantJeff Stingel, owner of the 53’ Jarrett Bay, Contango. ‘Team Contango’ had the early lead at end ofthe first leg, was later strongly challenged by Puerto Rico’s Blue Bird barelyholding on to the lead by a very narrow 80 points at the end of the second legand were able to close with a relatively comfortable 680 point margin at linesout of the third and final leg in the Triple-Header.
“We knew we needed tostay consistent coming into the last leg and that is exactly what we did” addedthe boat’s Captain, Daryl Brower, with a broad grin on his face.
Contango’s name willbe the first to be added to the series’ perpetual trophy, an original design bythe famed Dominican Master Metal Sculptor “El Artistico” Jose Ignacio Morales,and will reside at Marina Cap Cana six months of each year and at Marina Casade Campo the other six months of the year. In addition to a year’s worth of bragging rights the team received theelegant step box trophy from Release Marine and prizes from Cap Cana’s Eden RocBoutique Resort, Mojo, Tycoon Rods and Hook & Tackle plus a little bit ofcash to sweeten the pot.
Dates for 2016 aretentatively set for Casa de Campo Blue Marlin Classic April 13th to 17th, CapCana Shootout June 21st to 26th and Cap Cana Classic August 24th to 27th. These dates are still tentative and mayundergo some minor tweaking. We will beannouncing ‘definite’ dates shortly.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Contango 4,100
2. Bluebird 3,420
3. Black Gold 2,210
4. Thunder 1,960
5. Liandra 1,870
6. Tomahawk 1,240