Wrapped Up Again!

Last year, the dock erupted as three families of legacy members, all aboard the same boat, claimed first place and made history with the tournament’s first-ever three-peat. The team was seamless, years of fishing together had forged something untouchable. Their chemistry was so strong they were at the top of every podium. The boat even gave their captain a nickname: Sailfish Jesus. Some swore it couldn’t be done without him. The recipe was perfect. But over the course of the year, the ingredients changed. The boat transitioned from Fish Camp—partnered by the Lazarras and Cheathams—back to the Lazarras alone and its original name, Wrapped Up. Captain Dave Dalfo (Sailfish Jesus) and longtime mates Marshal Busha and John Stukel moved on to new chapters. Suddenly, it felt like square one. This season didn’t begin easily. Wrapped Up found itself applauding from the sidelines instead of standing center stage. But every tournament led here—home waters, home base, the one that has always mattered most to Chris. Fifteen years of fishing this event. Waiting. Chasing. Believing. In 2023, it finally happened. Wrapped Up took first. In 2024 and 2025, as Fish Camp, they did it again. And in 2026, they returned as Wrapped Up—and they have done it once more. Congratulations to Chris and his outstanding team of anglers: Mike Gozzo, Brian Kirkpatrick, a Sailfish Club Board Member, and his wife, Kelly Kirkpatrick, our 2026 Top Lady Angler. A big round of applause as well for the new crew: Captain Alex Tallman, and mates Christian Tarallo and Neil Ashley. In his first year with this historic Gold Cup team Alex showed the anglers enough fish to earn 3300 points, more than any other Gold Cup boats last three years combined. You could say this tournament was won with heart—but heart alone isn’t enough. It takes skill, experience, and respect for every part of what this sport represents. This isn’t about the boat, and it isn’t chance. This is a team of highly skilled anglers and crew who understand what it means to earn a Gold Cup. This tournament was fought for—and won. The Gold Cup’s first-ever four-peat. Congratulations Wrapped Up!

If the walls could talk.

Over the last four days, we’ve shared so many of the small stories that unfold during every Gold Cup -moments that are different for everyone, fleeting, and seen through individual lenses. No two people experience the same tournament the same way. Tonight, we gather for the awards banquet, and each of us will walk away with our own memory of the 2026 Gold Cup. But it isn’t any single experience that defines this tournament - it’s all of them together. The clubhouse holds that energy. Fifty-four years of shared moments live within these walls: the frustration of tough days, the laughter that carries late into the night, the thrill of wins, and the lessons learned from losses. This tournament - and these halls - have seen it all. And now, each of us is part of that story. Every member, captain, crew, spouse, and supporter. We are part of the Gold Cup, and we’ve made something special together. Our records, our stories, and our spirit will carry forward to the next generation. It’s exciting to imagine what the Gold Cup will look like fifty years from now - and how they’ll remember us. ************ -also- Teams, make sure you're remembered when you get to the door tonight! If you haven't made your reservations, please call the Club now. The tables are already being set! 561-844-0206

Final Day!

Lines in! It’s our fourth day of fishing, and four boats make up today’s fleet. Wrapped Up sits in a strong first-place position, but if Hydrosphere or Texan can put together a day like Wrapped Up delivered on Day One, the door is still open. That said, they would need to shut Wrapped Up out completely - and for the past four years, that has proven to be a tall order. Huntress remains very much in the hunt. Fish On currently leads the live-bait division with 1,400 points, while Huntress enters their final day with 400. It would take eleven fish to overtake the leader—but earlier this week, a non-tournament boat released nineteen. The temperature is dropping by the minute, and a freeze warning has just been issued. These boats are fishing a very different ocean than the fleet saw yesterday. Anything could happen. It’s still anyone’s game. Good luck to all teams - we’ll be watching every move!

Was it the Dunkaroo?

After a slow day of fishing, it was tough to call lines out just as the bite began to pick up - but rules are rules. At 2:43, Panacea released a double, jumping to the top of the board for Day Three. Just sixteen minutes later, Fish On came up with a quad - four sailfish hooked at once. It doesn’t matter how you hook them, getting a quad to the boat is equal parts chaos and exhilaration. That single moment launched the live-bait team back into third place overall. Then, at 3:06, Canyon Lady answered with a double of their own. What changed? No doubt a little superstition came into play. Lucky dances, fireball shots, rally caps—whatever it took to shake things up. Earlier in the afternoon, Andrew, captain of Fish On, confidently promised the new guy on the boat a quad in exchange for a Dunkaroo. Every bucket onboard was already full of goggle-eyes, but the angler was committed. He dunked his own head into the fish bucket, counted to ten, and slammed a beer. It got some laughs, passed the time- but with no quads reported all tournament, the team was skeptical. Then the captain made a move. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. One for everyone - and every one of them made it to the boat. Way to go! Dunkaroos all around!

Stone Crab Night is Tonight!

All-you-can-eat stone crabs await! The boat shuttle service runs from 5–9 PM between HAVN / Cannonsport Marina and the Club. Reserve now: (561) 844-0206 or SarahGay@SailfishClub.com Don’t miss it—hope to see you tonight! (Please reserve for tomorrow's awards dinner as soon as possible - thank you).

Since 2002

A tradition is more than a routine. It’s a belief, a practice, a way of doing things that’s passed from one generation to the next because it carries meaning, value, and identity. It’s what connects yesterday to today, and today to what comes next. In 2002, Andrés Fanjul assumed the role of Gold Cup Chairman from his dear friend, Donald Leas. Today, we honor Mr. Leas each year with the Chairman’s Award, ensuring his legacy remains a living part of this tournament. Following Andrés’ three-year tenure, Keith Beaty stepped into the role - one defined not just by honor, but by dedication to the Club, the sport, and its traditions. Keith served for three years before sharing the responsibility with Andrés during several transitional seasons. In 2012, a new generation stepped forward when Winston Wren took the helm. A few years later, Chris Lazzara carried the torch, passing it on to Eric Waldin. Then came Anthony Cummings, who later handed the reins back to Chris—only to take them once more himself. For the past two years, Kevin McCluskey has proudly stepped up to continue the tradition. What makes this story truly special is that every Gold Cup Chairman since 2002 is fishing with us today. That is tradition. And that is how legacy is made. Thank you to each of our chairmen for your continued support.

When you least expect it!

They say you never know who you’re sitting next to, and in few places is that more true than in sportfishing. From the mate to the owner, we all put our slickers on one leg at a time, the salt makes everyone’s hair wild, and sunglass tan lines mark us all. Out here titles tend to disappear. Surprise connections and handshake deals have long been a hallmark of our sport - and thanks to technology, they don’t stop at the dock. Nick McClelland of Fish On had to miss the first day of fishing while working to close the largest deal of his business career. Showing true commitment to his team, he brought the office offshore on Day Two. With a phone in one hand and a rod in the other, Nick closed the deal. A boat full of celebrations were interrupted when without warning his line came tight. Fish on. He closed the deal and caught the fish - an experience, and a feeling, not soon forgotten. Cheers to the friendships and opportunities that seem to find us when we least expect them. Who knows, there may even be a big afternoon waiting out there. Stay in the game, teams. Good luck!

Lots of Blue and a little Pink!

If you catch a flash of pink in the wake of Hit-n-Run, you may have just spotted a team of world-class lady anglers. Led by current Top Lady Angler and club member Laura Russell, this team brings both experience and impact to the Gold Cup. Laura is no stranger to the Gold Cup stage, and this year she has supported the event in an even bigger way by joining the tournament committee. As the first woman to serve the tournament in this capacity, her influence is felt throughout this year’s festivities - from the custom caddies presented to each owner at registration, to the ferry transporting teams across the inlet, Laura is a driving force in helping us honor tradition while continuing to grow and embrace the future. We are so grateful for her energy and dedication over this past year. Teammate Camilla Ingram has traveled the globe collecting wins in billfish tournaments for many years. She is a familiar face on the awards podium at Billfish Foundation events as her boat, Big Oh, is a leader in tag-and-release programs across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Rounding out the team is Kristin Salazar, owner of Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala. Having mastered the art of releasing sails and marlin in the Pacific, Kristin was thrilled to land her first-ever Atlantic sailfish release aboard Hit-n-Run yesterday. A powerful team, a strong presence, and yet another example of the depth of talent competing in this year’s Gold Cup.

Lines in for Day Three—and it’s feeling like Florida again. Morning temperatures are back in the 60s, and the ocean is calm… for now. A freeze warning is in tomorrow’s forecast, and oh, what a front can do to the ocean. Most teams have opted to take advantage of today’s calmer conditions rather than gamble on the rough seas tomorrow. As the leaderboard continues to shift and many teams fish their final day, it’s important to keep an eye on who remains in tomorrow’s fleet. Hydrosphere and Texan - both known for strong performances in this tournament, are just fishing their second day today. Huntress, after a solid day yesterday, and our tournament leader Wrapped Up are waiting to fish their final day tomorrow. As always, this tournament keeps us on the edge of our seats until the very last moments. The clock is ticking, the weather is coming, and this tournament is far from decided. Good luck to everyone fishing today!

With all 20 boats fishing, it took us a little longer to wrap things up at the Club tonight - but just like the banter this morning, the stories and laughter were the highlight of cocktail hour. As everyone settled in for dinner, a moment from last night stood out. The Bud-n-Di, led by team captain and club member Justin Shaw, entered the Gold Cup this year after many seasons of watching from the sidelines. When their table proved too small at last night's dinner, tournament leaders Chris and Jennifer Lazzara were quick to offer them space at theirs. Bud-n-Di team member Pat Callahan -whose Boston accent is thicker than his Irish name- made a quick joke about blessing the food. Before anyone knew it, the entire table had their hands folded as ten-year-old Caleb Lazzara led the prayer. After all, the youngest says grace. Moments like these are fleeting - but that's part of what makes them so special. The Tournament Committee is proud to welcome Bud-n-Di, Huntress, Lo Que Sea, and Trifecta, all fishing the Gold Cup for the first time this year. Thank you, and welcome.