After stiff legs from the strong currents during day 1, day 2 promised to provide better fishing. The tournament area was at the begining of a fjord more open to the Norwegian Sea than day 1's location.

The numerous islands in this location provided ample fishing room. Currents were still strong, but more manageable than during day 1. Never the less, I had to spend the last 40 minutes of time swimming non-stop back to the boat to avoid being disqualified.

I took 7 fish this day including my first cod. Improving upon day 1, 6 of the fish met the 1 kg minimum. I ended up with 14900 points. Again, for comparison, day 2's winner (Matti Pyykkö of Finland) shot 39 fish for a point total of 84,450. Matti won the contest in 2006. He came in 7th this year even though he got disqualified on day 1 for not getting back to the boat in time.Click here for day 2 results.

I placed 30th again on day 2 and 31st overall. Click here for the combined results.

Team France took the 1st three places with a very impressive showing. Team USA (me) managed to beat a few teams. Click here for the team results.

 

The biggest fish of the tournament was taken by Simen Wilberg of Norway.  It weighed 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs). 

The club put on a great banquet serving beef stew and the previously described bacalao. There was a prize table for all of the competitors. In order of ranking, everyone was called up and selected a prize from the table.

Top finishers got first pick of spearguns, wetsuits, and other prizes. I was lucky, there was one dive club fleece jacket left when I was called - nice! One of the French divers selected a wetsuit that he then gave to the junior winner - class act.

After the banquet, many of us went to Christian's Bar. Karaoke is apparently very popular in Norway. The karaoke machine was going full-tilt until 3 in the morning in several languages. Transportation at night was via karaoke cabs - buses actually that had unbeleivable sound/video systems. Drinking and driving is not tolerated in Norway. The legal limit is 0.02.  Everyone took this seriously.  As such, the cabs were popular.