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VANDAM HAS CLASSIC LEAD ENTERING FINAL ROUND
Michigan Pro Poised To Capture Sport's Biggest Title
NEW ORLEANS, La. (August 3, 2001)- On Friday, Kevin VanDam put himself in a position to lose the title of being the best angler to never win the BASS Masters Classic by taking the lead heading into the final day of competition.

The 33-year-old Michigan pro has won six tournaments and three B.A.S.S. Angler-of- the-Year titles, but has failed to win bass fishing's "majors" (the Classic, B.A.S.S. MegaBucks and SuperStars events). However, his five-bass 10-pound, 2-ounce catch on Friday has given him an opportunity to erase that particular frustration. His two-day total of 21-7 gives him a 10-ounce lead over Arkansas' Scott Rook entering Saturday's final round.

"I've led at least one other Classic, and I've definitely had my opportunities to win the Classic," said VanDam, who has finished in the top 10 in five of his 11 Classic appearances. "But something always happened, like losing fish or something else.

"But all you can do in an event like is go out and fish your heart out. And where you end up, that's where you finish. All you can ask for with the first two days of the Classic is to put yourself in a position to win going into the last day. And I've done that. So far, I've fished a perfect tournament and not lost a fish that has hurt me."

With Tropical Storm Barry churning up the Gulf of Mexico, its wrath was already extending into the Louisiana Delta by providing high winds and muddied water conditions that hampered the 45 Classic pros Friday. And that has VanDam uneasy about what Saturday will hold.

"So far, the conditions have been conducive to my style of fishing," he said. "But that could change. I've done a good job of adapting to the changing conditions, and I'll change tomorrow if I need to. I'm not going to die with what I'm doing if the conditions change."

Forty-year-old Scott Rook, a tackle store manager from Little Rock, Ark., finds himself in an unusual position - competing for the Classic crown in the home stretch - after catching a limit weighing 10-13 Friday (two-day total of 20-13). Although he is fishing in his second Classic, Rook has never won a national tournament.

"If there is anybody you don't want to be behind it's Kevin VanDam," he said. "He's the best in my book.

"But as far as the pressure goes, I'm not going to let that bother me. I'm fishing against the fish, not Kevin."

First-round leader David Walker struggled to bring three bass weighing 8-3 to the scales Friday and fell to third place with 20-6. The Kentucky pro gambled by making a long run to the Venice area, where he found his best spots flooded, wind-blown and muddy.

"It felt like a hurricane out there," Walker said. "I just have to hope I can make the run down there (Saturday) and hopefully find some clean water to fish."

California's Robert Lee is fourth with 28-2, followed by Gerald Swindle of Alabama with 17-5.

Tennessee's Michael Holt took Friday's big-bass honors with a 3-pound, 13-ounce largemouth.

The Classic contenders are fishing for a $100,000 top prize and the most important title in the sport. Winning the Classic is the high-water mark in professional fishing and an accomplishment that has rewarded past winners with as much as $1 million in residual earnings. The Classic is the championship event of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail.

By sanctioning over 20,000 tournaments worldwide, B.A.S.S. is the world's largest fishing organization. The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship after more than three decades. B.A.S.S. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN.

Sponsors of the 2001 BASS Masters Classic include: Chevrolet Trucks, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Outboards, Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Stowaway Batteries, Kumho Tires, Long John Silvers, Gore-Tex Outerwear, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Bass Pro Shops, Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools, GMAC Vehicle & Boat Insurance, B.A.S.S. Platinum First USA Visa Card.

Associate Sponsors include: Bass Cat Boats, G3 Boats

The 2001 BASS Masters Classic is presented locally in conjunction with:
State of Louisiana, Jefferson Parish Tourism and Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation.

2001 BASS MASTERS CLASSIC
08/02-08/04
LOUISIANA BAYOU DELTA; NEW ORLEANS, La.
S t a n d i n g s D a y 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 21-07
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-02
2. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 10 20-13
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-13
3. David Walker Cannon, Ky. 8 20-06
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 3 8-02
4. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 10 18-01
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 7-00
5. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 10 17-05
Day 1: 5 8-01 Day 2: 5 9-04
6. Harold Allen Shelbyville, Texas 8 17-01
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 3 5-04
7. Chet Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 10 16-09
Day 1: 5 6-09 Day 2: 5 10-00
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 16-08
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 7-04
9. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 9 15-02
Day 1: 4 5-15 Day 2: 5 9-03
10. Dwayne Horton Knoxville, Tenn. 9 15-00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 4 4-14
11. Paul L Elias Pachuta, Miss. 9 14-07
Day 1: 4 7-04 Day 2: 5 7-03
12. Michael Holt Lexington, Tenn. 8 14-05
Day 1: 3 4-13 Day 2: 5 9-08
13. Chris Baumgardner Gastonia, N.C. 10 14-04
Day 1: 5 6-06 Day 2: 5 7-14
14. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 9 12-10
Day 1: 4 5-03 Day 2: 5 7-07
15. Bud Pruitt Spring, Texas 7 12-08
Day 1: 5 8-14 Day 2: 2 3-10
16. Clark Wendlandt Cedar Park, Texas 9 12-00
Day 1: 4 6-12 Day 2: 5 5-04
16. David Fritts Lexington, N.C. 8 12-00
Day 1: 3 4-02 Day 2: 5 7-14
18. Gerry Williams Winter Garden, Fla. 8 11-12
Day 1: 5 8-01 Day 2: 3 3-11
19. Roland Martin Clewiston, Fla. 7 11-07
Day 1: 3 5-14 Day 2: 4 5-09
20. Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 4 10-11
Day 1: 3 9-11 Day 2: 1 1-00
21. John Semken Olympia, Wash. 8 10-05
Day 1: 4 4-05 Day 2: 4 6-00
21. Mark Davis Mount Ida, Ark. 6 10-05
Day 1: 1 2-03 Day 2: 5 8-02
23. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 6 10-03
Day 1: 1 1-13 Day 2: 5 8-06
24. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 7 10-00
Day 1: 3 5-02 Day 2: 4 4-14
25. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 7 9-14
Day 1: 4 6-15 Day 2: 3 2-15
26. Rufus Johnson Strwplains, Tenn. 8 9-08
Day 1: 3 4-09 Day 2: 5 4-15
27. Kotaro Kiriyama New Milford, N.J. 7 9-01
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 2 2-05
28. Keith Green Arkadelphia, Ark. 5 8-03
Day 1: 2 2-15 Day 2: 3 5-04
29. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 3 8-01
Day 1: 2 5-09 Day 2: 1 2-08
30. Randy Blaukat Lamar, Mo. 4 7-15
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 7-15
31. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 4 7-08
Day 1: 2 2-09 Day 2: 2 4-15
32. Peter E. Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 7-06
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 7-06
33. Harry Charcalis Gilmanton, N.H. 5 7-00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 7-00
34. Gary Yamamoto Mineola, Texas 4 6-15
Day 1: 3 5-11 Day 2: 1 1-04
35. Pete Ponds Madison, Miss. 5 6-13
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 3 3-03
36. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 4 6-10
Day 1: 1 1-01 Day 2: 3 5-09
37. Mark Tyler Concord, Calif. 4 5-11
Day 1: 1 1-14 Day 2: 3 3-13
38. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 4 5-06
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 5-06
39. Woo Daves Spring Grove, Va. 3 5-01
Day 1: 1 1-11 Day 2: 2 3-06
40. Randy Howell Trussville, Ala. 2 4-12
Day 1: 2 4-12 Day 2: 0 0-00
41. Jim Johnson LaCrosse, Wisc. 3 4-08
Day 1: 1 1-06 Day 2: 2 3-02
41. Aaron Martens Castaic, Calif. 4 4-08
Day 1: 2 1-15 Day 2: 2 2-09
43. Curt Lytle Suffolk, Va. 2 2-13
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 2-13
44. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 2 2-00
Day 1: 1 0-15 Day 2: 1 1-01
45. Robert L. Kilby Hot Springs, Ark. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Jay Yelas Tyler, Texas 4-11 $1,000
2 Michael Holt Lexington, Tenn. 3-13 $1,000
-------------------------------------------------------

2001 BASS Masters Classic Notebook
New Orleans, La.
August 3, 2001

Behind The Scenes
When spectators arrive at the BASS Masters Classic weigh-in, they are afforded a show of Super Bowl proportions. Before the smoke and laser lights surround the boat and truck rigs being used for the competition, a full day's (and night's) work has already happened. Here's a quick glimpse behind the scenes:
The competitors are caravaned to the launch site at 5 a.m. Three flights of anglers take off for their respective fishing locations. The fishermen must be back to the dock at their assigned times, and the boats are placed on the trailer by 2 p.m. After the boats are trailered, ice is placed in the livewells to keep the water cool during transportation, and the oxygen level is checked to make sure the fish stay in optimal conditions.
When the boats arrive backstage at the weigh-in site, they are hand-washed and spit-shined, along with the tow vehicle. As the anglers proceed, a weigh-in slip is made for the official records, sponsors promotional items are placed on the front deck, and the fishermen drive to the stage.
After the fish are weighed, they are placed in a live-release truck located immediately backstage and returned to the Delta. The boat/truck rigs are returned to the boatyard and are inspected by technicians that fix any problems that may have arisen. The batteries are then hooked-up to chargers and a fuel truck refills all the gas tanks. Then the cycle is repeated.

Factoid
The best finish Kevin VanDam has ever posted at a Classic was 5th Place in 1993. VanDam caught 38 pounds, 3 ounces of bass on Alabama's Lake Logan Martin. Mark Davis won that year.

Fantasy Realized
Bassmaster.com has, for a year now, featured the Fantasy Bass Challenge. Like fantasy football, the Bass Challenge allows fans to pick the pros they think will win the BASSMASTER Top 150 and Invitational events. Surfers that visited the site had the opportunity to register for a chance at winning a new Triton bass boat. More than 200,000 entries were submitted. During today's weigh-in, Kevin Kosser of Indiana lived his fantasy: He became the lucky new owner of a Triton Tr-21.

Strong Arm Of The Public
The BASS Masters Classic Outdoor Show, which continues until Saturday at 10:00 p.m. at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, has something for everybody. It will pay to visit one booth in particular.
The folks at Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools are giving the general public a chance to flex their muscles. The challenge? Grab one end of one of their new Geared Combination Wrench, and yank. The person that generates the most torque (yanks the hardest), which is displayed to passers-by, is going to win a $5,000-set of Armstrong tools. The top five are going to have a pull-off on stage during tomorrow's Pre-Weigh-In Extravaganza.

Rare Breed
Three Classic anglers are sitting on very rare cats. As a matter of fact, there's only six of them in the world, and reproduction is not an option. The Special Edition of BassCat Total Performance Bass Boats is a true collectors item.
The boat is a Pantera III DC model, powered by a 200-horsepower Mercury Optimax or a 200-horsepower Yamaha V-Max. The boats are rigged identically to the other 44 contender boats including a Motorguide 7109 trolling motor and two Lowrance IcX-15 LCRs and two 1240 A units. The boats have candy apple red or raspberry color schemes.

Quote Of The Day
"I wasn't born in Texas, but I got there as soon as I could! I wouldn't live anywhere else. It's a great spawning ground for bass fishermen."
Jay Yelas, Classic Contender