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World Sailfish Championship Offers $100k

Anglers are to compete for a guaranteed $125,000 in cash prizes during the third annual World Sailfish Championship, scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday, April 12-16, in Florida Keys waters.

The World Sailfish Championship is to bring together the winners of some of South Florida's most prestigious sailfish tournaments, as well as celebrity participants and other elite anglers, for three days of hard-fought fishing during prime sailfish season.

A guaranteed first prize of $100,000 cash awaits the team that catches and releases the largest confirmed number of sailfish. Tournament organizers also are offering a $15,000 second prize and $10,000 third prize.

Celebrities slated to be on hand for the championship and its associated festivities include baseball great Johnny Bench, basketball legend John "Hondo" Havlicek, ESPN fishing show host and writer Captain Norm Isaacs, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Wade Boggs and honorary chairman Don Shula, of Miami Dolphins fame.

One of the World Sailfish Championship's primary beneficiaries is Camp Boggy Creek, founded by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the tournament's founding and honorary chairman emeritus. Schwarzkopf, actor Paul Newman and others created Camp Boggy Creek as a permanent, year-round, no-cost camp for young people with life-threatening illnesses.

The 2005 championship also benefits the Don Shula Foundation Inc., dedicated to breast cancer research; the Key West Rotary Club; and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monroe County.

In its first two years, the World Sailfish Championship raised more than $350,000 for Camp Boggy Creek and other charitable beneficiaries.

Final registration for the World Sailfish Championship is slated for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, overlooking Key West Harbor at Mallory Square, the tournament headquarters.

That evening, events are to include a captains meeting, kickoff party emceed by Johnny Bench and live entertainment at Mallory Square. Opening ceremonies, starting at 7 p.m., are to feature a four-squadron F-15 Air Force flyover.

Fishing is set for 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, April 13 and 14; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16.

Social highlights are to include a private charity dinner with celebrities and friends of the tournament at Shula's on the Beach, 1435 Simonton St., scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. Priced at $500 per person and limited to 150 attendees, the event is to benefit the Don Shula Foundation, Camp Boggy Creek and the Key West Rotary Club.

Anglers and guests who do not attend the dinner can feast on seafood at a 7-9 p.m. fresh catch seafood extravaganza at Mallory Square.

Other tournament social events are to include a Thursday night Coaches' Dinner Party with live and silent charity auctions; a free concert at Mallory Square; and a daylong series of private parties for anglers and their guests set for Friday, April 15, the non-fishing "lay day."

Winning anglers are to receive prizes and accolades for their prowess at a banquet and awards ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, under the tournament tent at Mallory Square.

The World Sailfish Championship is limited to 110 boats including five first-place boats from top South Florida sailfish tournaments.

The $4,200 per boat entry fee allows entry for up to five anglers, as well as six VIP social passes which provide for preferred seating at all social events, admission to private parties, gourmet meals, full access to a VIP hospitality area with a nightly open bar and personal assistance with hotels and slip reservations. Additional social privileges are $375 per person.

For more information about the World Sailfish Championship, and tournament registration forms, visit www.worldsailfish.com , call tournament coordinator Laura Emmole at 1-866-482-7529 or e-mail lemmole@worldsailfish.com .

For lodging information, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY, or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com .

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