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The 2025 Costa Offshore World Championship (OWC) once again affirmed its status as the pinnacle of international sport-fishing tournaments. Held from April 6 to 10, the event took place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica—a world-class venue that offers participants unmatched access to some of the Pacific’s most productive fishing grounds.
This year’s championship attracted an elite assembly of 34 teams, comprising 158 anglers from 19 countries, including Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Peru, Saba, Spain, St. Maarten, Turkey, the UAE, and the United States. Collectively, these dedicated anglers traveled over 1.1 million miles to compete, each having earned their place through top finishes in qualifying tournaments worldwide. Adhering to strict IGFA regulations, participants were required to hook their own fish and switch boats daily, ensuring a level playing field that emphasized skill and sportsmanship.
The tournament commenced with a grand opening at the luxurious Parador Resort & Spa, setting an elegant tone for the days ahead. As lines hit the water, the Pacific Ocean’s bountiful offerings did not disappoint. Under idyllic tropical conditions, the fleet experienced exceptional action: 183 billfish releases on Day One, 210 on Day Two, and 198 on Day Three. In total, anglers achieved 591 billfish releases, comprising 568 Pacific sailfish and 23 blue marlin, averaging an impressive 17.38 billfish per team.
Emerging as the 2025 OWC champions, Team Fish for Holly showcased remarkable consistency and prowess. Led by Captain Robert Collins of Islamorada, Florida—who previously secured the OWC title in 2008—the team included anglers Audrey Koocher, Ritchie White, Roy Godinez, and John Timura. Their campaign began aboard Top Notch, releasing 12 sailfish on Day One. Day Two saw them on Monkey Shine, adding nine sailfish. On the final day, fishing from Vuelto Loco, they achieved seven sailfish and one blue marlin, culminating in a total of 29 billfish releases and earning 6,100 points.
Notably, South African angler Ritchie White contributed significantly with 2,200 points, making him the top scorer on the team. Reflecting on the victory, White shared, “When I was 13, I missed an opportunity to fish in the OWC with my father, and I have dreamed of fishing this tournament ever since. After we realized that we had won, I called my dad and told him what happened. We both had a good cry, and I can’t tell you what this means to me.” Beyond their success on the water, the team’s participation paid tribute to the legacy of the Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament—an event founded in memory of Holly Given to support the Florida Keys community through outreach and domestic abuse prevention efforts.
Securing second place, Team Rake & Scrape represented the Bahamas with distinction. Qualifying through the Lyford Cay Invitational Offshore Tournament, the team featured anglers Kyle Ferguson, Mark Holowesko, Sean Evans, and Vado Pinder. Their performance included eight sailfish releases on Day One aboard Super Fly, ten on Day Two with Double Nickel, and nine on Day Three aboard Sueltalo II, totaling 27 sailfish releases and 5,400 points.
The third-place position was claimed by Team Sunshine Coast Game Fishing Club Classic from Australia. Anglers Shaun Whale, Mark Lilley, Mitchell Whale, and Sam Hitzke demonstrated exceptional skill, releasing 25 billfish—24 sailfish and one blue marlin—over three days. Their efforts resulted in a tie with the Bermuda Big Game Classic team at 5,300 points, with the Australian team securing the podium spot based on time. Notably, Shaun Whale’s individual tally of 2,500 points earned him the second-place angler award.
In a historic achievement, Catherine “Cat” Bartels of Team Yellowfin was honored with both the Top Angler and the inaugural Top Lady Angler awards. Over three days, Bartels released 16 sailfish and one blue marlin, amassing 3,500 points—nearly the entirety of her team’s 3,700 points. Her standout performance included nine sailfish on Day One, a blue marlin on Day Two, and seven sailfish on Day Three, underscoring her exceptional talent and dedication.
Shaun Whale of the Sunshine Coast Fishing Club Classic (Australia) placed as second angler with eleven sailfish releases, and Alonso Araya claimed the third place angler position with seven sailfish and two blue marlin releases for team Dorado Derby Dos (Costa Rica).
The Top Captain accolade was awarded to Junior Bustos Abarca of Gamefisher II, whose expert navigation and leadership were instrumental in his team’s accumulation of 29 sailfish releases. Second Place Captain was awarded to Mainor Oporta Downs of Pacific Fly for 24 sailfish and 2 blue marlin releases, and third place Captain was earned by Geovanny Leal of Super Fly for 28 sailfish releases.
The Costa Daily Top Team was awarded each day to the team who rose above the rest. On Day One, Rooster Rodeo (Costa Rica) won with 12 sailfish releases, Day Two was awarded to Bermuda Big Game Classic with 13 sailfish and one blue marlin, and Day Three was awarded to Jebel Sifah International Fishing Championship (United Arab Emirates) with 12 sailfish.
Additionally, the Heaviest Dorado award went to angler Vinicius Gomes de Faria of Team Torneio de Canavieiras, Brazil, who landed a 26.86-pound dorado.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Tournament Director Jennifer Dudas remarked, “The Offshore World Championship embodies the spirit of international camaraderie and sportsmanship. We are deeply grateful to all participants who journeyed from around the globe to represent their homelands with such passion and integrity. Your dedication enriches this tournament’s legacy, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming you back for another unforgettable competition next year.”
The 2025 Costa Offshore World Championship reaffirmed its status as the zenith of competitive sport fishing, where excellence, tradition, and international fellowship converge in pursuit of angling greatness. This global tournament was made possible through the generous support of title sponsor Costa Sunglasses.
