Blue Marlin World Cup

So the day finally arrived and we met at the Marina at 7.15 :  Paul – film director, Anibal –Skipper,  Jake from Florida , Stewart from U.K.,  Nick , Roger, Henrique- photographer, Adam , Jonathan from Madeira . Calm day and we soon headed out south of Cabo Girão .  14 boats had entered including Peter Bristow's  “Katherine B” and Stuart Cambell's “Chunda “. 
  
Lines in at 9.30 about 4 miles out  ; little bird activity as we make diagonal progress to the West fortified by bacon sandwiches .  Late morning and we hear on the radio that “ Freedom“  has a hook-up ; they kill the fish and it later turns out to weigh 220 kilos,- too bad .   Later we hear that Peter Bristow has a grander on the line but unfortunately  not for long ……. 
  
We are opposite Ribeira Brava at 13.21 when there is  a double strike and 10 minutes later Nick reels in a 50 kilo big eye tuna ;  not what we wanted but at least we all now have dinner.. 
  
We see dolphins and several  finback whales as hopes that once again  a Madeira boat  would win the big prize begin to fade . 
  
“Balancal” tradition is maintained as crew leap into the water before returning to the Funchal Marina…………………… 

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