Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2018
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
Weather Cancels This Season’s Final AWWS Wisconsin Qualifier: What Happens Now?
It’s extremely rare that an AIM Weekend Walleye Series tournament is cancelled. But when it is, such as last Sunday’s AIM Nitro Boats Open at Oconto, WI, there’s a good reason. So, why was it cancelled, and what happens now, since this was the season’s final championship qualifier?
“Here’s the deal,” explains Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “The weather was the reason, and from the reaction registered at AIM’s Facebook page, and from the look at the waves outside the harbor Sunday, we definitely did the right thing.”
Here’s how AIM decides whether to cancel a tourney. First, safety is the No. 1 concern, Fox said. Cancelling a meet is at the sole discretion of the tournament director.
“In Wisconsin, we also use a five-person angler advisory committee hand-picked by the director. If there is a small craft advisory, we will not send anyone out,” Fox said. “In addition, on the Great Lakes, weather buoys positioned at key points give us the ability to instantly check wind speeds and wave heights, a great asset.
“On Sunday, those buoys on Green Bay were registering 20 mph sustained winds, with four- to seven-foot waves. Anyone who’s been on the water in those conditions knows how nasty, and dangerous, that can be.”
Cancelling a qualifier tournament is a totally uncommon occurrence and has only happened once before, he said. So, how does that affect the point’s standings for Team of the Year? AIM’s got it covered, too, Fox added.
Points for Team of the Year (TOY) are calculated by using finishes in three of the four qualifying events and the championship point totals. If there is a cancellation, each team entered in that event earns 100 points.
In AIM, safety comes first. The cancellation, of course, was a blow to many teams, including the one who was a part of the advisory committee and who joined all the others to vote 5-0 for a “no-go.” Since they didn’t finish well in a previous tournament this season, Fox said, Jeff Nuechterlein and teammate Ryan Foster needed this one to make a run for the TOY to repeat. But, they took the high, and safe, road and voted with the others, a testament to their team spirit.
“Per AIM rules, a drawing took place to determine the awards distribution,” Fox said. “Believe me, no one at AIM likes this to happen, but when it does, it’s for a good reason. And from the looks of Green Bay last Sunday morning, there were lots of big reasons breaking against the harbor to do so.”
“AIM would like to thank The Dockside Bar and Grill for hosting the rules meeting. They always go above and beyond in partnering with AIM and we appreciate their help. If you go to Oconto, stop by and tell them AIM sent you”
Next up, AIM makes a return visit to Lake Winnebago Aug. 3-4 for The Wisconsin State Championship. The final AIM state championship qualifier takes place Aug. 12 in North Dakota on tricky Devils Lake. We’ll preview that event in the days prior at AIM’s Facebook site. Watch for a roundup of the Yamaha Motor Corp USA Team of the Year standings that will be posted Friday. For info on all AIM events, go to aimfishing.com.
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future. AIM is committed to marketing excellence on behalf of its tournament competitors, the tournament host communities, and the brands that partner with it. AIM is also committed to maintaining healthy fisheries across the nation by the development of the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format which is integral to its dynamic events and unparalleled consumer engagement.
For more information about AIM™, AIM Pro Walleye Series™, AIM Weekend Walleye Series, AIM sponsors and AIM anglers, visit www.aimfishing.com.
AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats, LLC.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Garmin, Navionics, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, AirWave Pedestals, Off Shore Tackle, Vibrations Tackle, ProChattrr, Gemini Sport Marketing, Treeland Resort, Anglers Avenue, Moonshine Lures Shiver Minnow, JT Outdoors Products, Fox River Lures and Rods, Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau