FLW anglers to participate in upcoming ESPN Outdoor Games

Inaugural event to showcase some of the world’s best bass fishing pros

Although the FLW Tour Championship in Shreveport, La., doesn’t begin until Sept. 13, die-hard fishing fanatics won’t have to wait until this fall season to see many of their favorite FLW anglers in action. Beginning later this month, professional bass fishing enthusiasts can get their fair share of fishing excitement by watching the 1st Annual ESPN Great Outdoor Games slated for Lake Placid, N.Y.

Scheduled to take place from July 20-23, the Outdoor Games will feature a wide variety of events ranging from professional bass fishing and fly fishing competitions to target and timber sport events.

While many of the events are sure to be compelling television viewing, ESPN readily admits that the professional bass fishing competition will be one of the main anchors of the entire broadcast.

“You can’t have an outdoor games without bass fishing,” said Jim Downs, event director for the ESPN Outdoor Games. “ESPN works so closely with the FLW Tour that it was never really a question whether or not we would have a competitive professional bass fishing tournament. We’ve been planning this for a while.”

Like the regular FLW events, ESPN will follow a similar format… with a few exceptions. For starters, ESPN has invited only 10 anglers to be part of the competition: Randy Blaukat of Lamar, Mo.; Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Ariz.; Steve Daniel of Clewiston, Fla.; Keith Green of Arkadelphia, Ark.; Guido Hibdon of Gravois Mills, Mo.; Randy Howell of Trustville, Ala.; Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla.; Carl Svebek of Sam Rayburn, Texas; Peter Thliveros of Jacksonville, Fla; and 2000 Land O’ Lakes FLW Angler of the Year, Clark Wendlandt of Cedar Park, Texas. Although most FLW events boast a pro field of approximately 175 anglers, ESPN officials said the two-day competition (which begins Sat. July 22 and ends Sun. July 23) was best served by limiting the number of participants.

“We wanted to offer a format that would provide the best opportunity for some of the best anglers in the world to showcase their skills,” said Cadence Harkins, ESPN Outdoor Games sports and competition manager. “We took into consideration the total size of the lake and time constraints and we determined that 10 contestants were the optimal number. We want to bring the excitement of what really happens out there on the lake right into the viewer’s home.”

Consequently, the first day of the bass fishing competition will look very similar to day three of a typical FLW tournament. Ten anglers will head out on the lake and the five anglers with the best day-one totals will advance to the final day of competition on Sunday. Each angler is allowed a five-fish limit. On day two, the slate will be wiped clean and the angler with the largest fish total on the final day of competition will be declared the champion. ESPN officials said camera crews will be out on the lake on the first day of competition randomly filming all 10 anglers. On day two, each of the five finalists will be assigned their own camera crew.

Although the prize money won’t approach the lucrative FLW purses – ESPN will award a total of $21,000 for the entire competition – anglers said the honor of being selected is reward in and of itself.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be really neat,” said FLW angler, Carl Svebek III of his invitation to the Outdoor Games. “It is big honor to be selected. When you look at all of the great fishermen out there, it’s just really exciting to be asked to compete. I can’t wait.”

“It was quite an honor to have been invited. I’m super excited,” said Scott Martin, son of professional angler Roland Martin and winner of the February FLW event in Biloxi, Miss. “With only 10 fishermen, you really have a good opportunity to get some exposure. It’s really not about the money; it’s about supporting ESPN and it’s about supporting our sponsors. And I’m sure next year that the event will be even bigger and better.”

In an attempt to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly, ESPN has enlisted the services and expertise of Operation Bass – the organization that conducts the FLW, EverStart and RedMan Tournament Trail (soon-to-be the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League) Tours.

“For every sport in the Games we’ve made sure that we have our expert consultants – people who are very familiar within the sport itself,” said Harkins. “With regard to bass fishing, Operation Bass is going to provide officials to work as tournament directors and staffers. They’ve assisted us with the rules. Overall, Operation Bass has been a big help.”

Although television programming will begin July 27 and last through Aug. 4 on ESPN and ESPN2 – with approximately 17 hours of total coverage – spectators are also urged to attend the games in person. Admission is free of charge and all events are open to the public.

“It’s a great area and the community has been fantastic,” said Harkins. “We’re really excited.”

For more information about the ESPN Outdoor Games, contact: Amy Cacciola ([email protected]) at: (860) 766-7362 or go to the ESPN Outdoor Games Web site at: gogmedia.com

OperationBass.com will provide full daily coverage of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games beginning July 22.