International Competition Round Up
Well times flies and both the Worlds and Commonwealth fly fishing competitions are done and dusted with varying results across the board.
As far as the Worlds are concerned it was the hometown heroes (Czech Republic) who took it out, no major surprises there I think. They were followed by the weekends losers in the rugby, England and France. The kiwi team (Cory Scott, John Bell, Paul Baker, Garth Plank & Sam Bourne) worked hard but didn't achieve the desired results finishing down the back of the field at 22nd from 24 with Cory Scott being the best of the team.
Our other team, the Aussies, fared better sitting firmly in the middle of the pack with two of their team being in the top 50 and a respectable team result of 13th.
Full results here: http://ffch.cz/en/?page_id=812
And in other news the NZ Commonweath crew (Belinda Thomas, Tim McClew, Tony Houpt, Kyle Melnyk & Paul Dewar) scored themselves a 6th place overall out of 15 teams with some great individual placings from Belinda Thomas_18th) and Tim McClew _7th).
Again our other team, the dingos, took team places ahead of us in 4th and 5th, and individual placings of 1st, 3rd and 4th....onya cobbers!
Here's the inside word from Belinda Thomas:
"Thanks for sooooo many lovely messages of support. You guys rock! It means a lot when you are up to your armpits in boulders and white water, wishing for a 15 cm trout to measure.
Our team finished 6th overall and I was in 18th place. Was chuffed that Lisa Isles and I were the first women to have a top 20 Commonwealths finish.
In the same group as me, Lisa and John Tyzack showed terrific sportsmanship and hospitality in their home country, warm fuzzies and thank you both.
The spirit of the event was evident with loads of laughs and encouragement as well as the serious business of catching fish, and while you want to be the ones with the medals, to see your friends and anglers you admire collect them is inspirational.
I have had a wonderful time, and again thanks! xo"
