Defiance Repeats as 2021 Swordfish Cup Champions

Swordfish Cup, July 29, 2021—Team Defiance won the global Swordfish Cup for the second year in a row after boating a broadbill that weighed 318.5 pounds (144.8 kilos). The fish was caught off New Zealand and was officially recorded at the Whangaroa  Sport Fishing Club in Whangaroa. Greg Haliday was the angler and Guy Sutherland is the captain of the 64 Viking. The Swordfish Cup is presented by Fly Zone Fishing and RJ Boyle Studio.

It’s winter in New Zealand, so the team was fortunate to have a cooperative weather window. The broadbill entry was hooked at 11 am local time and was wound in on 130-pound class conventional reel. The length was 86 inches, with a girth of 49 inches.

In addition to tournament winnings, Defiance also won a $1,500 bonus sponsored by the Viking Service Center in Palm Beach, Florida. Mike Samuels is a vice president of Viking Yachts and heads up the center.

“We offered this bonus because there are Viking owners around the world who are getting out to fish and enjoy their boats and we want to recognize their accomplishments,” Samuels says. “Congratulations to Defiance on an impressive catch.” The bonus was available to the Viking team boating the largest qualifying swordfish (200-pound minimum). Defiance was built in New Jersey and shipped to New Zealand to take advantage of that country’s big-game bounty.

Teams representing four countries competed in this year’s Cup. Under the format, all line class weights are allowed. Contestants may only use conventional rods and reels, including electric reels mounted on rods. Hand gear, bandit gear and hydraulic reels are not permitted. Harpoons may be used to boat the fish, however.  In the event of a tie, the first eligible fish boated shall be declared the winner.

Weigh-ins were conducted at approved scales certified by governmental authorities within the last year. Fishing hours were from 8 am July 24 until 8 am July 25 in each local time zone. Continuous video verification of the gaffing and boating of the fish with a GPS date and time stamp was also required to prove the catch was made during the specified tournament hours.

“Congratulations to Defiance on their repeat performance and to all the teams that competed,” said Tournament Director Robert “Fly” Navarro. “Broadbill swordfish are a challenging game fish and we look forward to showcasing the teams that excel in catching them again next July.”

For more information on the Swordfish Cup, visit www.swordfishcup.com.