July 23, 2008 – At the end of the second day of fishing, four boats are in the lead in the second annual AH Riise BVI Billfish Tournament.
Jay Johnston's Ay Caramba (San Juan, P.R.) moved into a tie with George Lorton's Therapy (Gulfport, Fla.) and Jesus Montano's Blue Bird (San Juan, P.R.).
While there is no award for top individual angler, it would surely go to Gonzalo Ferrer on Blue Bird, who has caught all three blue marlin landed. Ferrer, who is also the tournament director for the San Juan International Billfish Tournament, said, "If I land another, I'm afraid they may throw me off the boat."
Sponsor Brown-Forman added two more shoreside events to add to the fun. CCO (Chief Cocktail Officer) Tim Laird conducted a wine tasting featuring his wines from 5 Rivers and Sonoma Cutrer.
Another new hit was the drink competition for the crews of the boats. The only rules for the event were that they had to use Finlandia, Jack Daniels or Southern Comfort, or any combination to enter. In a hotly contested event, the crew of Big Oh won with their entry Beetlejuice. For their efforts, they received a free room night courtesy of tournament host the Bitter End Yacht Club.
The AH Riise BVI Billfish Tournament is once again partnering with the San Juan International Billfish Tournament. The winner of the AH Riise BVI Tournament receives free entry into the San Juan Tournament and vice versa. This year a top angler award, based upon total combined finishes in the two tournaments, has been established.
Sponsors of the AH Riise BVI Billfish Tournament are AH Riise and the BVI Tourist Board (title), Bitter End Yacht Club (official host), Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Sonoma Cutrer and 5 Rivers wines, Johnny Walker, Tanqueray, Red Stripe,
Cuervo Black, Pusser's Rum, Southern Boating, BVICCHA, Seaborne Airlines, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Little Dix Bay Hotel and Scrub Island Resort.
Proceeds from the tournament go to BVI charities through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
For more information, go to bvibillfishtournament.com.
