EFSA England hosted the 2024 Championships at Weymouth with the welcome and opening
ceremony being held at the Rembrandt Hotel on Sunday 8 th September. A chance to catch up
with old friends and get the latest information on the event. It was announced that due to
forecasted weather conditions the 2-day Line Class event would take place on Thursday and
Friday not Monday and Tuesday as originally planned.
Monday 9 th September saw eight boats with 57 anglers aboard head off into the wind and stay
inshore. Several boats stopped for Mackerel, but they were hard to come by. At anchor fishing
was difficult as the boats were yawing back and forth in the wind and with some anglers
spending a lot of time fishing under the boat. Drifting for Wrasse and Pollack was easier. At the
end of the day there were ten anglers on 100% as on two boats there was a tie for first place. On
count back Martin Hubert took the lead with 99 points, Matt Osbourne 2 nd with 95 points and
Mark Smith 3 rd with 79 points.
Tuesday 10 th September was again windy with similar fishing to Monday. At the end of the day,
it had all changed at the top with only two anglers managing another boat win and 200%. On
count back Didier Marest took top spot with 158 points from Petter Skudal, last year’s champion,
on 151 points. In third place was Francis Couzinet with 198.68 %
Wednesday 11 th September saw the wind easing becoming more off the land, so a more
comfortable fish but boats did not venture too far out. So again, similar fishing; Bream, Wrasse,
Pout, Gurnards, Dogfish, Conger and Rays made up most of the catches. Didier held on to his
top place with another boat win so a total of 300%. Francis Couzinet had a boat win to put him
on 296% for second place and Torunn Handeland moved up into third spot with 291.46%.
Thursday 12 th September was Day 1 of the 2-Day Light Line event with each competitor having
to use the 30lb braid supplied for the event. The results for this event would also be added to the
main Boat Championship. The wind had eased, and the boats were able to get out to the 3 Mile
Bank where anglers would be targeting large fish; Conger eel, Tope, Rays and any other fish over
5lbs. Although fishing was easier, we had rain showers, some heavy and squally with a
waterspout being spotted at one point. With nine anglers on 100% it was down to count back to
decide positions. Leading with 270 point was Nico Opdebeeck, second was Heiko Dreier with
190 points and 3 rd Jason Williams also with 190 points but two less fish. Meanwhile in the Boat
Championship it all changed, with the leaders all having a bad day. Heiko Dreier moved up into
first place with 389.61%. In second place was Mark Smith with 367% and third was Ray Barron
with 326%.
Friday 13 t September saw the final day of the Championships with all to play for in both the
Light Line and the Boat Championships. It was a nice sunny day and there were lighter winds so
back to the 3 Mile Bank for more big fish.
In the Evening, the Gala Dinner and presentation were held at the Rembrandt Hotel. Andy Selby
announced the results, the prizes were presented by the Mayor of Weymouth Councilor Jon
Orrell and Marcus Wuest.
First the Line Class awards were presented with the gold pin going to Mark Smith, Carl Julien
the silver and Michael Lorenzen the bronze.
Top lady in the Line Class was Jacqueline Luef from South Africa with Torunn Handeland from
Norway second.
After the Line Class results had been added to the previous three days it was a re-run of the Light
Line event with Mark Smtih the overall winner of the Boat Championship taking his second gold
pin of the evening, Carl Julien the silver and Michael Lorenzen the bronze.
Top Lady was Torunn Handeland with Jacqueline Luef second.
Top Senior was Paul Hart with Torunn Handeland second and Barrie Senior third.
The National Teams event was won by England A, with Fance second and Denmark third.
See below for the full results including the best fish categories.
Results
Euros Four Man Drawn Overall