‘A Work of Art Captures First Gulf Coast Triple Crown
92′ Viking Leads Tournament Series from Start to Finish
Captain Jason Buck Becomes the First Ever Four Time Champion
For Immediate Release Contact: Jim Cox
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The chase for the Gulf Coast Triple Crown, presented by Grander Marine, Invincible Boats, and Mercury Marine, begins and ends at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Just like the lead built by ‘A Work of Arf starting back in May.
The 92′ Viking from Orange Beach finished third in the weighed Blue Marlin division of the Orange Beach Billfish Classic while adding a second-place finish in the Catch and Release division. Captain Jason Buck and crew scored 275-points in the season-opening event, giving them a 25-point over several competitors after the first sanctioned tournament. It was a lead they would never relinquish, en route to the championship, leading wire-to-wire over the four events.
“I’ve always admired the teams that have won the Triple Crown in the past,” said owner Art Favre. “It’s an accomplishment that rewards teams for their season-long consistency. Every team that has been crowned the champion has been recognized by their peers as being the best of the best for that year. And we were fortunate enough to have a great season this year, and I am so proud of our team for winning this championship!”
The only event Favre’s team didn’t score points was the second tournament in Biloxi, but they still held their 25-point advantage at the halfway mark of the season.
The third tournament was the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin, Florida. A Work of Art caught the heaviest Blue Marlin to win the tournament at 638.7-pounds and built what proved to be an insurmountable lead of 275 points heading to the season finale at The Wharf.
A Work of Arts season-long dominance continued at what is known as ‘The Greatest Show in Sportfishing.’ Weighing in, a 557.4-pound Blue Marlin secured a second-place finish at The Blue Marlin Grand Championship and a run-away victory of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown.
Captain Buck, who led Done Deal to three Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2018 is now the first-ever four-time Triple Crown Champion. “This a team achievement. Everyone plays such an important role, starting with Art. He’s a hands-on owner. He does things for us like taking the night watch so the rest of us can get some sleep and be focused when we need to be. He had some great guys already working on the boat when I arrived, and I brought in a few of my guys, and we all work really well together. This is a great honor for all of us.”
Chris Bazar of Grander Marine not only sponsors the Gulf Coast Triple Crown but also competes in the events, so he knows what an accomplishment it is to win. “I truly feel the teams that tournament fish in the Gulf are some of the best in the world,” he said. “So when you win the Triple Crown, I think it showcases you on the world fishing stage because the teams down here, like A Work of Art, are respected worldwide.”
lt Just Takes Time, a 72′ Viking from Orange Beach, finished in second place with C-Yathe 74′ Spencer, also from Orange Beach, finishing third in the final 2022 Gulf Coast Triple Crown standings.
