The Curaçao Yacht Club 803 Challenge

It was on day two of the International Blue Marlin Tournament in 1985 when angler Robert van Vliet hooked up a 803 pounder Blue Marlin in the waters a few miles offshore the Eastpoint of the island of Curaçao.

In a three-hour-plus fight this monster was boarded by Robert van Vliet and his team on the private vessel Filipichin. Team members Robert van Viet, father Dirk van Vliet uncle Oscar 'Tali' Perret Gentil and the one and only George Eleonora will never forget this 'once in a lifetime' experience.

Up till now, sixteen years later, several huge Blue Marlins were hooked in our Caribbean waters by sportfishermen but unfortunately lost. So ... they're out there!

During the LUHRS 36th International Release Blue Marlin Tournament organized by the Curaçao Yacht Club on March 14-15-16-17 (Thursday through Sunday) 2002 and sponsored by LUHRS represented by Mr. Gert Rusch , there will be 'The Curaçao Yacht Club 803 Challenge'. A challenge to break the record set in 1985 by Robert van Vliet. Record-breaker will be the one who catches and boards a Blue Marlin weighing over 803 pounds. It goes without saying that every individual participating in the tournament must follow the tournament's rules & regulations. Of course no exceptions. Failing to do so will immediately lead to disqualification.

The record-breaker in 'The Curaçao Yacht Club 803 Challenge' will be rewarded a brand new luxury sedan BMW. Thanks to the locally established enterprises Ultimate Automobiles and Maduro & Curiel's Insurance Services who signed up for sponsorship of this record-breaking sports-event.

So attention all anglers and team-members: There's a BMW waiting for you at the Curacao Yacht Club. The car is there, the keys are there. Just break the 803 record and the BMW is yours.

Curaçao Yacht Club
Organizing Committee