The moment an angler realizes he has just won the Bassmaster Classic is one that sticks with him forever. Over the years, we’ve seen tears, screams, arms pumping, jumps and all sorts of revelations of what that angler is feeling at that moment. James Overstreet gives us a look at some of his favorite Champion reactions.
The intensity is evident on Skeet Reese’s face the moment he realizes that he squeaked past Michael Iaconelli by 11 ounces in 2009.
The screaming fit was followed by a series of fist pumps and a long, hard stare at the trophy that he had coveted his whole career.
Boyd Duckett raises the American Flag during his victory lap in 2007. He edged past Skeet Reese by 6 ounces and became the first home-field angler to ever win the event.
Boyd Duckett played well to the home crowd in Birmingham, Ala., during his victory lap.
Boyd Duckett hoists the Classic trophy high while a storm of confetti falls all around him. Duckett’s win was bolstered by a 6-pound, 9-ounce lunker that bit in the last hour of the day.
Alton Jones remembers the moment standing in front of the crowd as dreamlike. He said after the fact that “he expected to wake up at any moment” from a very nice dream.
Alton Jones is covered in confetti as he holds the 2008 Classic high. Jones said, “I couldn’t see anything for all the lights and confetti. I could hear the crowd, but I felt like I was all alone in my own little world.”
The excitement and joy is evident on Alton Jones’ face moments after he won the 2008 Classic.
Alton Jones said he had dreamed his whole career of making the victory lap at a Classic.
Alton Jones tips his hat on his victory lap in 2008. He tried to savor the moment, “but it was way too short of a trip,” he said.
Fireworks always follow the crowning of the champion, like this blast in 2008 with Alton Jones.
Skeet Reese’s emotion never let down for a second in 2009, as he hoisted the trophy high.
Families are often as excited as the anglers, as evidenced by Kim Reese giving a victory fist-pump, while Skeet Reese holds the couple’s two daughters during the victory lap.
Fans snap photos and reach for Skeet Reese during his victory lap.
The victory lap ride takes only a few minutes, but almost every champion has said “it’s one of the special moments” of winning a Classic.
Seconds after weighing his fish and realizing he was 11 ounces ahead of Michael Iaconelli, Skeet Reese hoists his two largest fish high.
Kevin VanDam jumps for joy upon winning the 2010 Classic on Lay Lake. It went down to the wire with Jeff Kriet.
Kevin VanDam hoists the trophy 2010, the third time he would lift the trophy at the Classic. He said he was intently watching his family’s reactions.
Kevin VanDam’s victory lap in 2010.
Kevin VanDam raises the trophy in 2010. He has just won his third Classic.
Alton Jones is all smiles in 2008, even though he said he couldn’t see anyone because the lights were so bright.
Alton Jones said since his very first Classic he has dreamed of making the victory lap.
