Record Turnout, Strong Fishing at Viking Key West Challenge
The 12th annual Viking Key West Challenge drew a record 55 boats and more than 500 guests for four days of great fishing and family-focused fun.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey in a news release. “You’ve got great boats, great people and time on the water doing what we all love. That’s what makes it so special.”
Presented by Christi Insurance Group and Travelers Insurance, the event featured a competitive field across multiple categories and a mix of Viking sportfishing yachts and Valhalla center consoles, according to the company. Ideal weather and a picturesque Key West setting added to the vibe.
The fishing was exceptional, too, with 194 billfish releases over two days–the second-highest total in event history, according to the company. The record remains 214 releases set in 2017. Anglers released 93 sailfish on the first day and followed with 101 on day two. A potential women’s world record blackfin tuna (pending certification) was weighed by Leonie Barry aboard Salt Dawg, a Viking61, at 34.2 pounds.
For the third consecutive year, the Viking 61 Right Choice earned Overall Grand Champion and Top Sailfish Boat, releasing 16 sails and boating a tuna. The Valhalla 46 Relentless took second in the sailfish category with 13 releases, according to the company, followed by the Viking46 Billfish Don Diego with 10.
Top Angler and Top Female Angler honors went to Don Diego’s Jennifer Persinger with10 sailfish releases and a tuna, according to the company. Top Junior Angler honors went to Colin Dicembrino aboard the Viking 64 Team HMY, who released the tournament’s first blue marlin. He also released a sailfish and boated two dolphins.
“This is our second year, and it was an easy decision to come back,” said Leslie Rickman in the release, whose family–including her husband, Joby, and their sons Hayden and Kamden–returned aboard their Viking 64 Dear Rodeo. “It’s like a community–a family. We never even questioned it. The boys really love it.”
“I’ve made every Key West Challenge,” added Jacqueline Hinden, a longtime Viking owner whose team participated on the 1998 Viking 58 Enclosed Bridge Bimini. “It’s great to be part of something like this, where everyone feels so valued.”
