The Viking Yacht Company proudly introduces Valhalla Boatworks, a new company dedicated to designing and building high-performance center consoles with the same Viking quality, craftsmanship and expertise that has led the marine industry for 55 years.
The docks were packed with beautiful, world-class sportfishing boats at last week’s 8th annual Viking Key West Challenge, presented by Christi Insurance and Travelers Insurance. The fleet of 48 boats, comprised of Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks center consoles, took over the Conch Republic with more than 500 pumped-up participants. But it was the ladies that stole the show.
Last year’s champ came back ready to defend her title – and she sure did! Rosalie “Roe” Apostoleres, fishing on her Viking 50 Roenick, released 14 sails over two days to add more hardware to her trophy case! Roe covered the leaderboard claiming 1st Place Sailfish, Top Angler and Top Lady Angler while her boat was the Top Boat (18 sails total). Captain Casey Hunt helped Roe carry out a SpotZero mobile unit, Switlik Coastal Passage Raft and a couple pairs of Costa sunglasses. Way to go Roe!
Captain Scott Walker put Terri Groth on 10 sailfish, which was good for 2nd Place Sailfish, 2nd Place Angler and 2nd Place Lady. Terri, fishing her Valhalla 41 Papa’s Pilar, also rolled up to the Spot Zero Weigh Station with the 2nd Place 22.4-pound kingfish.
Lindsey Way, on the Viking 56 Smoke Show, flew five pink flags. With captain David Ide at the wheel, Lindsey also weighed two kingfish pushing her to 3rd Place Angler and 3rd Place Lady Angler.
Logan Young was the Top Junior Angler. The Blue Eyes angler released three sailfish and took a 15.6-pound tuna to the scales. Teammate Matt Vatland caught a pair of kingfish, earning the boat 2nd Place Kingfish while he took 3rd Place Kingfish Angler.
The Tuna Division was highly contested with 53 fish brought to the scales. Baller, a Valhalla 41, took 1st Place Tuna in the team division and Code Blue’s Roy Dupuis weighed a 31.6-fish for 1st Place Tuna Angler.
But as the tagline to the event states, the Viking Key West Challenge is “More Than Just Fishing”! Anglers, crews and guests attended a lively Captains’ Meeting Cocktail Party, al fresco Welcome Banquet, spirited Lay Day Barbeque Pool Party (with fresh swordfish donated by the category’s winner David Heeter on his Miss Peggy Sue), energetic Kid’s Dock Tournament and boisterous Duval Street Bar Crawl Poker Run. The event was crowned with a festive Awards Dinner under the stars with 39 trophies handed out. Over $20,000 in prizes were awarded out over the four-day event.
“The Viking Key West Challenge is an amazing event that just keeps getting bigger and better, with more boats and more people participating every year,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “It’s now the largest tournament on the island. Key West is really the perfect location where everyone can thoroughly enjoy the boating and fishing lifestyle that we all love.”
To see the full list of results, visit the Reel Time App here. And make plans to join our southernmost party next year from Wednesday, April 12 through Sunday, April 16, 2023. Book your slip at your favorite Key West marina today!
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