European Game Championships Tuna – Bill fish, September 14th – 20th 2018, Portugal, Azores, S. Miguel

Friday – September 14th with the presence of the President of EFSA Portugal, Director Maria Helena and the Director of Big Game Carlos Palhinha, the above championship began on 14 September with the meeting of EFSA Sections Captains represented (Scotland, England, Iceland, Ireland; Gibraltar A and B, Portugal, Switzerland), totaling 9 teams / 31 fishermen. After the necessary explanations the boats were drawn, followed by the reception cocktail at the headquarters of the Naval Club of Ponta Delgada, where all the teams and chaperones were present, as well as the most diverse local personalities.

Saturday – September 15 Although the weather and sea conditions left some concern due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, which passed the tropical storm, the boats left at 8:00 a.m. in Porto de Abrigo, after a signal from the Event Directorate. Unfortunately the existing concerns became reality and an hour after leaving Dir. Proof, after contacting the captains, understood to cancel this day of proof and the return of all boats. Onshore, an extraordinary meeting was held with the captains of the EFSA sections and then with the skippers, with Dir. Proof presenting a proposal, which was unanimously approved. Proposal submitted: – the annulled test of Saturday would pass to the next Wednesday, keeping however the draw made as well as the Code of the Day and all the General Programming will adapt to the new reality. So the test days were 2nd, 3rd and 4th, but the tour circuits were still scheduled – Monday went to Sunday and 4th was only reserved for fishermen’s fishing partners. We were pleased to note that the fishermen included the President and Treasurer of the Executive of EFSA, Horst Schneider and Kim Bowden.

1st day of competition – September 17th After many touches, it can be noted that the day of fishing was very positive, since four teams captured and released, according to the regulation, four (4) blue marlins, After the Competition Jury showed the videos brought by the teams and the recognition of the captured / released species, the teams obtained 300 points and the classification was as follows: – 1st England; // 2nd France; // 3rd Gibraltar B; // 4th Switzerland The tie-breaking criterion was that of the “first catch register” in accordance with point 18 of the Regulation. 2nd day of competition

September 18th with very favorable conditions, the second day of competition provided several touches and beginnings of combat with blue marlins. After the day of the competition and after the Competition Jury saw the videos delivered by the teams that captured and released the blue marlins, the classification of the day was thus ordered: -1st- Iceland; 2nd- Switzerland; 3rd – England / Scotland, all with 300 points The general classification after the two days of tests was as follows: -1st Switzerland – 600 pts; 2nd England – 300 pts; 3 France – 300 pts; 4 Gibraltar B – 300 pts; 5th Iceland – 300 pts; 6 England / Scotland – 300 pts.

3rd and last day of competition September 19th with departure at 08:00 and arrival at 18:00, the last stage of the championship began. During the day the expectation was total due to the innumerable information, via port of refuge, of several combats on the part of all the teams. However, the news and expectations were in the course of the hours being reduced by the fact that the captures were released. As a result, only Gibraltar B made the catch, being the only team to score on the last day. The tie-breaking criterion was that of the “first catch register” in accordance with point 18 of the Regulation. The team from Portugal, Ireland and Gibraltar A failed to get catches for the standings. In the late afternoon / early evening, prizes were awarded to the 3 classified teams, souvenirs to all the fishermen who made up the 9 teams and diplomas of nominative participation. The final overall results: Team Gibraltar B – gold, Team Switzerland – silver and Team England – bronze medals.