FOUR-PEAT IN QUEST FOR THE CREST

Consistency leads to victory in South Florida

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In the world of South Florida's highly competitive tournament sailfishing, one series stands above the rest: the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. With its three signature events-Palm Beach's Operation Sailfish, the three-inlet-format Sailfish Challenge, and Miami's Final Sail-this one sets the stage for not just individual performances, but also for a team to showcase their consistency throughout the season. It's entirely possible for a captain and crew to have the hot hand during one event, but to put together a string of top finishes is another level of performance entirely, and one that deserves unique recognition.

One thing that separates these tournaments from the rest is the linear scoring system that emphasizes performance and consistency, pitting teams against each other throughout each leg to determine the ultimate champion. It also has the potential to create dynasty teams, those fortunate to win multiple years while also competing for a purse estimated at $1.7 million this year. However, the most coveted award-the Crest-doesn't come in the form of a cash prize. It represents the pinnacle of tournament sailfishing, with only the most dominant among an elite field donning the burgundy jacket. Some have achieved the feat once, a handful have done it twice, and an exclusive group has managed to claim victory three times. This year, one team made a strong argument for dynasty status: the husband-and-wife duo of Capt. James and Sarah Cleare and their teammates, Jorge Corzo and Doug Mientkiewicz.