Results – European Boat and Line Championships, Weymouth 2024

EFSA England hosted the 2024 Championships at Weymouth with the welcome and opening ceremony being held at the Rembrandt Hotel on Sunday 8^th September. A chance to catch up with old friends and get the latest information on the event. It was announced that due to forecasted weather conditions the 2-day Line Class event would take place on Thursday and Friday not Monday and Tuesday as originally planned.

Monday 9^th September saw eight boats with 57 anglers aboard head off into the wind and staying inshore. Several boats stopped for mackerel, but they were hard to come by. At anchor fishing was difficult as the boats were yawing back and forth in the wind and with some anglers spending a lot of time fishing under the boat. Drifting for wrasse and pollack was easier. At the end of the day there were ten anglers on 100% as on two boats there was a tie for first place. On count back Martin Hubert took the lead with 99 points, Matt Osbourne 2^nd with 95 points and Mark Smith 3^rd with 79 points.

Tuesday 10^th September was again windy with similar fishing to Monday. At the end of the day, it had all changed at the top with only two anglers managing another boat win and 200%. On count back Didier Marest took top spot with 158 points from Petter Skudal, last year’s champion, on 151 points. In third place was Francis Couzinet with 198.68 %

Wednesday 11^th September saw the wind easing becoming more off the land, so a more comfortable fish but boats did not venture too far out. So again, similar fishing, bream wrasse, pout, gurnards, dogfish, conger and rays made up most of the catches. Didier held on to his top place with another boat win so a total of 300%. Francis Couzinet had a boat win to put him on 296% for second place and Torrun Handeland moved up into third spot with 291.46%.

Thursday 12^th September was Day 1 of the 2-Day Light Line event with each competitor having to use the 30lb braid supplied for the event. The results for this event would also be added into the main Boat Championship. The wind had eased, and the boats were able to get out to the 3 Mile Bank where anglers would be targeting large fish; conger eel, tope, rays and any other fish over 5lbs. Although the fishing was easier, we had rain showers, some heavy and squally with a a waterspout being spotted at one point. With nine anglers on 100% it was down to count back to decide positions. Leading with 270 point was Nico Opdebeeck, second was Heiko Dreier with 190 points and 3^rd Jason Williams also with 190 points but two less fish. Meanwhile in the Boat Championship it was all change, with the leaders all having a bad day. Heiko Dreier moved up into first place with 389.61%. In second place was Mark Smith with 367% and third was Ray Barron with 326%.

Friday 13^tSeptember saw the final day of the Championships with all to play for in both the Light Line and the Boat Championships. It was a nice sunny day and lighter winds so back to the 3 Mile Bank for more big fish.

In the Evening, the Gala Dinner and presentation were held at the Rembrandt Hotel. Andy Selby announced the results, the prizes were presented by the Mayor of Weymouth Councilor Jon Orrell and Marcus Wuest

First the Line Class awards were presented with the gold pin going to Mark Smith, Carl Julien the silver and Michael Lorenzen the bronze.

Top lady in the Line Class was Jacqueline Luef from South Africa with Torunn Handeland second.

After the Line Class results had been added to the previous three days it was a re-run of the Light Line event with Mark Smtih the overall winner of the Boat Championship taking his second gold pin of the evening, Carl Julien the silver and Michael Lorenzen the bronze.

Top Lady was Torunn Handeland with Jacqueline Luef second.

Top Senior was Paul Hart with Torunn Handeland second and Barrie Senior third.

The National Teams event was won by England A, with Fance second and Denmark third.

See below for the full results including the best fish categories.

England Placings
1^st Mark Smith
9^th Jason Williams
11^th Matt Osbourne
12^th Ray Barron
14^th Cliff Newbold
16^th Paul Hart
20^th Paul Milkins
26^th Colin Searles
30^th Gary Galbraith
34^th Barrie Senior
36^th Andy Selby
38^th Joe Holland
41^st Richard Russell
50^th Andy Smith
53^rd Jim Pressley

Full Results

Gallery