Top Sailfishing Team To Be Crowned a World Champion in Key West, FL
A world champion title and the coveted Crest Jacket will be up for grabs in Key West, FL on April 12th at Final Sail, the championship leg of the iconic Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. The top sailfishing teams in the country will travel to the southernmost point in the U.S. for the opportunity to prove they have what it takes in this highly competitive sport and compete for an estimated $500,000 purse.
The first three legs of the Quest Series had record-breaking payouts coupled with a record number of registered teams. The purse thus far between the first three legs of the series has totaled more than $1.75 million with the entire series expected to reach an estimated $2.2 million! Team BAR South won the first leg of the series, Operation Sailfish, in West Palm Beach for the second year in a row and took home a hefty payout of $255,950. Sailfish 400 in Miami, the second leg, paid out a total of $246,850 to Seraphim with a 1st Place finish. Jichi, the winner of third leg of the series, the Sailfish Challenge, claimed over $163,000 in first place with 18 releases. Which team will conquer the final leg of the series in Key West?
One of the tournament prize categories, the Release Roundup, has rolled over through 3 events. Jichi had the opportunity to claim the $61,000 Release Roundup purse at the Sailfish Challenge but they were not entered in the category. As a result the pot for the Release Roundup is expected to exceed $80,000 in Key West. Not bad for a $1,000 buy in.
The top three teams in the running for the Crest Jacket are Contender One with 74 points, followed closely by Liquid with 66 points and Utopia with 60 points. The scoring format allots points to a team based on where they place in each tournament.
The top captain of the series will also be recognized at Final Sail with a fitting award to celebrate an achievement of this magnitude. Altier Jewelers of Boca Raton, the official jeweler of the Quest for the Crest, will present a Breitling Emergency2 timepiece valued at $20,000 to the top overall captain.
The final leg of the Quest for the Crest will once again be held at one of the most spectacular locations in all of Florida, The Westin Key West Resort & Marina. This premier location offers several room and suite accommodations, its very own marina and breathtaking sunsets paired with incredible ocean views. And, it’s right around the corner from the notorious Duval Street.
No matter what the occasion, a trip to Key West, FL isn’t complete without some party time on Duval Street! Final Sail participants will get their Duval fix in a big way with the Costa Crawl on Duval following Day 2 of the 3-day competition. Competing teams will depart from the Westin sporting a custom designed pub crawl shirt by Kluch Clothing and some funky cool sunglasses courtesy of Costa. With a scheduled lay day on Friday of the tournament week and four pub crawl stops along the way, things are bound to get a little spicy on Duval Street on Thursday night! After the trek through the hottest bars in town, the crawl will make its last stop at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon where the night will close out with a live performance from the Andrew Morris Band. Hold on to your livers. This night takes no prisoners!
Final Sail also offers an opportunity to give back by donating a portion of its proceeds to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. The foundation funds scientific research and innovative educational programs to encourage conservation of marine wildlife. It also believes in supporting efforts to educate and engage our youth about our oceans and marine wildlife.
The last day a team can register is at the kickoff party on Tuesday, April 12th from 5pm – 10pm. Early entry, valid through March 22nd, is $3,750 plus tax. Late registration fee is $4,500 plus tax. Competition days are April 13th, 14th and 16th, with a lay day on April 15th. An awards ceremony brunch is held takes on April 17th at the Westin Key West Resort and Marina. For more information on Final Sail visit www.finalsail.com or call (954) 725-4010.
