National Country Fair 2004 - A World Record Breaker!
NEWS
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This page was last updated on Monday, August 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angling enthusiasts visiting the 2004 National Country Fair at Emo Court, Emo, Co. Laois in Ireland on June 6th and 7th last experienced the Scottish Champion, Scot McKenzie set a new world record in The Open International Spey Casting Championships with an astonishing cast of 58.9 yards in the qualifying round of this prestigious competition.
Scot, not content with setting a new world record went on to take 1st place in the finals with a cast of 57.5 yards, a massive 10 yards more than the 2nd placed Scot Michael McDaid. In 3rd place with a cast of 42.5 yards was Gary Scott from England in what was a hotly contested competition, but there was no doubt who the winner was on the day. Scot also went on the take top honours in the Irish Ghillie Trophy on the Sunday of the Fair.
Scot McKenzie already held the World Record, having cast 51 yards at the Musto Open International Spey Casting Championships at the CLA Game Fair in Harewood in 2003.
Angling demonstrator to the National Country Fair, Hwyel Morgan said that "this was an awesome cast. The average cast in the past would have been in the 40's but in the last couple of years, these have grown to the 50's - it's really quite amazing".
Debbie Morgan from Wales left no doubt as to her ability over the course of the weekend, taking the Ladies Trout Distance Casting Championship, the Ladies Salmon Distance Casting Championship and the Ladies Trout Accuracy Championships.
Emo Court's 25 acre lake made conditions idyllic for anglers and enthusiasts alike. Inland Coastal and Marina Systems kindly facilitated the staging of these competitions on the water by providing the casting pontoons.
The Fair saw its strongest line up yet of international game angling champions and experts in the angling demonstration team Peter Anderson in his trademark kilt was on hand to give tips and advice to those in attendance. The Scot, Ian Gordon, 2001 winner of the CLA Musto Open International Spey Casting Championships, made his debut on the demonstration team and Charles Jardine returned for a second consecutive year. Regulars to the fair Andrew Ryan and Patrick Trotter were also on hand to help the angling enthusiasts who were watching keenly from the lakeside.
The National Country Fair extends its thanks to the K Club, the 2006 Ryder Cup venue, for giving a weekend away to the winner of the Open International Spey Casting Championship and also to Cavan Crystal for supporting the event by providing magnificent crystal trophies to the winners.
The National Country Fair also boasted a record crowd of 43,000 over the two days of the Fair with people travelling from far and near to revel in all there was to offer. With the amazing demonstrators in the main arena and so much going on in other arenas, as well as 150 trade stands to choose from, it was not difficult to see why so many people came to Emo Court to see, what is Ireland's Premier Country Sports Event and Country Fair.
For more information, visit www.countryfair.ie
ENDS
For more information, please contact Perrin O'Dwyer Public Relations on 045 485852 or Avril Perrin on 087 2831793 or Audrey O'Dwyer 086 9299221.