LIVE UPDATES: CAPE COD INVITATIONAL

Is there any better place to be in the summer than New England? Welcome to Falmouth, Massachusetts for the Cape Cod Invitational, presented by Comparion Insurance. This is stop four of six for the Atlantic Division schedule, with the Hunt for The Zane Grey Championship Playoffs intensifying with each stop. For the updated standings and live scoring, click here. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 16: The Rhode Island Breakers are a scratch for the weekend. Their boat, a 66’ Blackwell named El Bendido is in the yard with transmission issues. We hope to see them under power and back in action for next week’s Rhode Island Offshore Invitational.

The South Florida Sails have 300 gallons of extra fuel in bladders on both the port and starboard sides of their cockpit. Speaking with Captain Mike King, he said it adds some extra insurance should they choose the wrong spot to start. The Sails’ boat is a 60’ Spencer named Quick Sweep, which is the same model as the Gulf Division-leading Third Coast Renegades. Following the Gulf action this season, Renegades’ co-owner Garrett Frazier has mentioned the smaller fuel capacity their boat has compared with the rest of the fleet, including the Vikings. There are 3 Viking Yachts the Atlantic Division, all 62-footers belonging to Lights Out Boston, the New Jersey Sea Birds and East Coast Remix. 

FRIDAY, JULY 17: DAY 1
*All times Eastern (ET)

5:00 AM: The six boats depart Falmouth all together, in the following order
Lights Out Boston
New Jersey Sea Birds
East Coast Remix
South Florida Sails
North Carolina Flare
South Carolina Outcast

5:05 AM: There was a moment of panic for those of us at the jetty watching the boats leave. It looked as if South Carolina Outcast had an issue, with their boat losing power. I noticed their starboard engine turn off. It looks as though the issue was quickly resolved as they continued out of the inlet and got running. 

5:10 AM: Trey Burton’s back! The former Super Bowl Champion tight end with the Philadelphia Eagles is back on-board with The Flock. This is the first time we have seen him since the Key West Classic to begin the season.

12:00 PM: THIS WILL BE A TWO-DAY TOURNAMENT. SFC Commissioner Mark Neifeld announced that Day 3 of the Cape Cod Invitational is canceled due to a small-craft advisory issued by the National Weather Service. That means there will be two days of coverage, concluding with Championship Saturday. Lines in will be at 5:00 AM, with lines out at 5:00PM. 

12:41 PM: SOUTH FLORIDA SAILS START WITH A TRIPLE! White Marlin released by Westin Bomnskie, Alex Stanley and Mark McDevitt get this tournament started in a similar fashion to last year.

12:43 PM: NORTH CAROLINA FLARE SLIDE INTO SECOND PLACE. They report a white marlin release by David Dressler.

EARLY LEADERBOARD
South Florida Sails - 300 Points
North Carolina Flare - 100 Points
Lights Out Boston
New Jersey Sea Birds
East Coast Remix
South Carolina Outcast

12:58 PM: Flare release another white marlin. Walker Diab brings them within 100 points of the leaders. Their hot streak continues from the Big Rock.

(STILL) EARLY LEADERBOARD
South Florida Sails - 300 Points
North Carolina Flare - 200 Points
Lights Out Boston
New Jersey Sea Birds
East Coast Remix
South Carolina Outcast

2:44 PM: SAILS ARE HOOKED UP! We’re looking to see what the tailwalking fish in the distance is. We’re wondering if it’s a blue.

2:51 PM: SAILS RELEASE A BLUE MARLIN! Lee Albarty gets the credit for the release and it extends their lead by 450 Points.

LEADERBOARD AS OF 3:00 PM
South Florida Sails - 750 Points
North Carolina Flare - 200 Points
Lights Out Boston
New Jersey Sea Birds
East Coast Remix
South Carolina Outcast

3:30 PM: East Coast Remix hook up with Kenny Hernandez, and Jay Brower shortly after hooks up for the Sea Birds! Meanwhile, Lights Out Boston look to be on a tuna. Ross Nasin is the angler there working into a fighting belt.

3:32 PM: The fish breaks off for J-Boogie (Brower) and the Sea Birds. It pulled the hook.

3:40 PM: Kenny’s fish for Remix is a tuna. We are in Tuna Town after all. But no points towards our competition.