The cheers were loud and the excitement unmistakable on Saturday, October 4, as Team Mamzelle of Barbados was crowned champion of the 2025 Republic Bank Saint Lucia International Billfish Tournament. The victory capped off three exhilarating days of sport fishing at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, with 18 teams and 108 anglers from eight countries battling across Saint Lucia’s sparkling waters.
Tournament President Mr. Ryan Devaux commended the high level of competition and the camaraderie among teams, noting that this year saw record participation and new digital coverage.
Insert Clip 1: Mr. Ryan Devaux, President St. Lucia Game Fishing Association, IN, 00:01, “St. Lucia Bill Fish Tournament 2025.…”, OUT, 00:19, “….wonderful to see it all.”
The winning team, Mamzelle, celebrated their achievement before a cheering crowd. Their victory highlighted what many called the most competitive and tightly contested tournament in the event’s history.
Mr. Rohan Lubon, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, praised the scale and impact of the event, which attracted anglers from across the Caribbean, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Insert Clip 2: Mr. Rohan Lubon, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, IN, 06:10, “I am filled with.…” OUT, 06:45, “….tourist experience.”
Mr. Lubon also extended appreciation to all partners, Republic Bank (EC) Limited (RBEC), IGY Rodney Bay Marina, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and Terra Caribbean, for their continued investment in local sports and tourism.
The 2025 tournament recorded 135 total releases, including 83 blue marlin and 52 sailfish, results that tournament organizers say meet global standards of excellence.
Speaking on behalf of RBEC, Mrs. Gezella Claxton, Country Manager for Saint Lucia, congratulated the winners and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting the growth of regional sports.
Insert Clip 3: Gezella Claxton, Country Manager, Republic Bank Saint Lucia, IN, 02:02, “It was three days….” OUT, 02:24, “….sports in the region”
Mrs. Claxton also noted that the tournament’s catch-and-release format aligns with the Bank’s principles of responsible banking and environmental stewardship.
Insert Clip 4: Gezella Claxton, Country Manager, Republic Bank Saint Lucia, IN, 03:03, “The tournament's commitment….” OUT, 03:41, “….bigger and better, right, Ryan?”
The 2025 event, now in its third year with RBEC as the title sponsor, opened on Friday, September 12, and quickly grew into one of Saint Lucia’s most celebrated fixtures on the sport fishing calendar. With social media coverage from Steve360 Fishing, including viral footage exceeding one million views, Saint Lucia’s presence in the international sport fishing community continues to expand.
Tournament President Ryan Devaux thanked the organizing committee, volunteers, and local artisans for their dedication, noting that plans are already underway for the 2026 tournament, scheduled for September 22–26.
“Every year we raise the bar,” Devaux said. “The partnership between our anglers, sponsors, and the community keeps this event growing stronger.”
From record catches to lasting friendships, the 2025 Republic Bank Saint Lucia International Billfish Tournament reinforced the island’s position as a premier destination for sport fishing and sustainable tourism — and set the course for even greater achievements ahead.
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