As we have come to expect, the event drew a massive field of anglers from around the world and this year was no exception with 27 countries represented by 260 anglers and over 100 team runners. Some of the finest exponents of carp angling congregated in one place to contest the most prestigious title there has ever been and they were keenly followed by worldwide angling media.
The familiar buzz of excitement preceding the draw inspired winning thoughts for all participants and the tension mounted further still as the draw progressed. Title sponsor JRC had provided 260 XL Hi-Care Carp Mats forming a fantastic stage backdrop for the opening ceremony and was greatly appreciated by the competitors. After the draw there were, of course, mixed emotions amongst competitors, just as there is in any competition… some were delighted with their draw, others not so, such is the nature of the draw.
With few of the favoured pegs drawn by English competitors the trophy seemed destined to go abroad for the first time in five years on Madine and if the first few days were anything to go by that was certainly going to be the case as the lead was being keenly contested between Romanian pair Emilian Paraschiv and Nelu Capitanu in peg PV-TV 16, and German pair Jens Gassen and Thomas Muller in peg SBS 10.
Then, on the third day, with the Romanian pair clinging to the tenuous lead they had established on day two, they were disqualified for continuous infringement of several rules.
The benefactors were in no mood to relinquish their newfound leadership and on day four they established a convincing and unassailable lead with an amazing ten fish haul for the day. With the weather conditions changing dramatically later that night it was entirely possible that the final run-in could have swung in favour of other competitors in other areas of the lake and indeed, the PV-TV and Ultima sections began to benefit from the change.
However, it was far too little far too late and two more fish in the last two days were caught by the German duo to seal their victory in fine style. So, congratulations go to new World Carp Classic champions, Jens Gassen and Thomas Muller of Germany who, on their way to the title, set a new World Carp Classic record catch weight of 377.6 kg.
The winning catch placed them more than 250 kg ahead of their nearest challengers, Dan Moorcroft and Colin Gray of England, with Gabriel Popa and Ion Nitu of Romania a further 21 kg adrift in third place.
The incredible and record breaking catch ensured Team Deutschland 1 victory in the Team Event too, with a total of 409 kg. An emphatic 208.8 kg separated the first two teams as Team CC Moore claimed second spot ahead of third placed JRC1 who had a total of 89.4 kg.
On the Friday Aivars Rudzinskis of Latvia caught a fantastic 25.3 kg mirror to claim the biggest fish of the event award; this fish came amid a veritable haul of 20kg plus carp caught around the lake and was one of many that ensured the average weight would yet again surpass that of previous years. Another year passes and still more records are broken!
There were 123 fish caught, 38 of which were 40lb, and six over 50lb. The average of all fish caught was over 30lb.
The exciting news for 2012 is that the event will be changing locations, and for the very first time in its history moving away from France. The amazing Lake Bolsena in Italy, with its surface area of some 113.5 km2 (43.8 sq miles), and its width 11 km (6.8 miles) and length 13 km (8.1 miles) will be the scene where the World Carp Classic 2012 is played out.
For full coverage with videos and photographs and event results along with details of the 2012 event visit the event website.
