After four successful days of fishing the winner of the International Fishing Tournament of the Needle Ernest Hemingway was crowned the team of Bulgaria, aboard the boat “The Lucky One” (The Lucky One), followed by the crews of Cuba, Genovés yacht Chile, aboard the Yacht Club II.
The jury, made up of representatives of the Cuban Sport Fishing Federation, awarded medals for each competitor and a trophy for each team.
The closing ceremony was held at the El Viejo and El Mar hotel, of the Cubanacan group, with the presence of authorities from the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, the company Marlin, Nautica y Marinas and the Cubasol Business Group and the Sports Fishing Federation of Cuba. Cuba.
They were also awarded the youngest fisherman: Cory Nelson, from the United States; the woman who captured the first needle: Laura Powell, of equal nationality.
The team from Canada fished the largest tuna, aboard the Pilar II vessel; the greatest gold was obtained by the Blue Label crew from Mexico; the largest wahoo and the first capture of the fourth day were in charge of the ElectroAir team from Estonia.
The first capture of the third day was made by the United States team “The Duke”; that of the second day the group from Cuba and the first capture of the event was made by the Bulgarian team.
In the official closing speech, the vice minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Luis Miguel Díaz, congratulated the winning teams and thanked the participation of all the competitors, especially the teams that represented the United States, who were present despite the new measures of his government towards Cuba.
The vicititular also recognized the performance and professionalism of several institutions that made the event possible, among which the Cuban Sports Fishing Federation, the National Institute of Sports and Physical Recreation, the Havana Club, Tecnoazúcar, the Mintur and the workers of the Hemingway Navy.
He invited those present to participate in the 70th edition of the International Fishing Tournament of the Ernest Hemingwaya Needle to be held from June 8 to 13, 2020.
In the waters of Havana’s Hemingway Marina, 18 teams from 11 countries, such as the United States, Canada, France, Bulgaria, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Japan, Cuba, Estonia, competed for the best capture of species of peak among which are the caster (blue marlin), sailfish, the Pacific needle, under the rule of tag and release (mark and release) so as not to damage any specimen.
Three days of long and short fishing characterized the tournament that is done with the use of circular hooks, which come easily from the mouth of the fish and if not, they are easily degraded with saltpeter.
The event was dedicated especially to the 500 years of Havana, and within the program was included a day of rest for recreation activities and knowledge of the destination, with several activities organized by the official receptive of the contest, the Ecotur Travel Agency.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, the Cubasol Business Group and the Marlin, Nautical and Marinas Company, the Ernest Hemingway International Fishing Tournament is considered one of the oldest events of its kind in the world and the most important from Cuba. It celebrated its first edition in 1950 and since then it is celebrated uninterruptedly for lovers of sport fishing and of Cuba.