Viking Key West Challenge - Off the Charts
by Viking Yachts 15 Apr 2023 00:27 PDT
The 9th annual Viking Key West Challenge (VKWC), presented by Christi Insurance Group and Travelers Insurance, is off to a roaring start with a combined 50 Vikings and Valhallas from 33 to 92 feet in the Conch Republic for four days of fishing, family and fun.
"This is what it's all about," Viking President and CEO Pat Healey said at the Captains' Meeting on Wednesday evening at Dante's Tiki Bar. "You can just feel it - the enthusiasm, the energy and the comradery are off the charts. Everybody is here, and this is a wonderful place to hold a fishing tournament. It's going to be great. We're going to fish Thursday; we're going to have a lot of fun on Friday; and then we're going to fish again on Saturday."
This marks the third year in a row that the event has drawn 50 or more boats - it's Key West's largest fishing tournament! We have almost 500 guests with 300-plus registered anglers. The VKWC team can't thank our sponsors enough, and we're excited to welcome back Spot Zero as the Weigh Station Sponsor, and Foley Cat was once again the sponsor for our Captains' Meeting.
Throughout the event, more than $30,000 worth of prizes will be given out - everything from electronics and safety products to a mobile Spot Zero water purifier, a Switlik Coastal Passage Raft and a variety of Yeti merchandise. Above: The kids do the honors of choosing the ping-pong balls to determine the winners.
The teams headed out to fish Day 1 on Thursday under clear skies and excellent weather conditions.
Friday is our lay day, which is packed with family activities and festivities for all, including a Pool Party Lunch, a Kids Dock Tournament and Bar Crawl Poker Run. The fleet returns to the water on Saturday for the final day of fishing, and the festivities are capped off with an alfresco awards dinner - with a sunset view.
"The best part is seeing all the smiling faces," says Pat. "It's an incredible event."
Follow the action by clicking here to visit reeltimeapps.com. Plus, check out our fun coverage of the event hour-by-hour through our social media - @vikingkeywestchallenge.