The Ladies World Championship event was held on the River Fiuma Mandria in Berreto near Palma, Italy on 22nd and 23rd August 2009. The Subfish Team England Ladies were Sandra Scotthorne, Emma Pickering, Wendy Locker, Helen Dagnall, Claire Dagnall, Samantha Perkins and Kayleigh Smith, managed by Tommy Pickering.
After five days practice the team were the favourites, and caught more fish than anyone else. The team had a method that was working well and were quite confident. The match came, but the plan didn’t work on day one with the team finishing in 8th position. Unfortunately, because of the new system when there are more than 15 teams taking part the sections are split into two, and this meant that the team were only a few points behind and still had the chance to fish for a medal, so they changed the method a fraction. After two hours on day two the team had nine points and thought they were in the silver medal position, but sadly they stopped catching, fell behind and finished 10 points off a medal. At the end of the event Subfish Team England Ladies finished in 7th position.
Team Positions:
1st place – Germany
2nd place – Czech Republic
3rd place - Hungary
Full results available by clicking HERE
Tommy Pickering, Subfish Team England Ladies Manager, stated “The only chance we had was individual gold and Emma Pickering had won her section on day one. On day two Emma hooked a big fish and played it for 15 mins but it came off near the net. If she had caught it she would have been World Champion, and if she hadn’t hooked it she might have still been World Champion as she would have had time to net more fish. We are all gutted to miss out this year, but it is something that I have seen coming to be fair. When I took over 8 years ago we won 3 gold medals over 4 years, and it was easier in those days. Unfortunately now all the other teams have gone away and improved. Also all the other teams have managers, coaches and hold friendly international events. More of the teams nowadays are unbelieveable, and full credit to them that they have caught us up, but one of our problems is we don’t fish to FIPS rules. We now need to put the work in to where we should be as the standard is so different now “.
Dick Clegg OBE, International Coarse Events Manager stated “I can understand the frustration that both the management and team feel with what is a very disappointing result in Italy. However, I know the quality of everyone concerned and expect them to excel next year. When I hear the comments from the competitors of other countries and the high regard that they have for the England camp then as International Events Manager I know that this is only a small blip on an otherwise excellent international record”.
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