Team Championship begins at Norfork

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The morning of Day 1 at the Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship at Norfork Lake got underway with below freezing temperatures as a cold front has moved from the Northwest part of the United States across the country.
The morning of Day 1 at the Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship at Norfork Lake got underway with below freezing temperatures as a cold front has moved from the Northwest part of the United States across the country.
Takeoff and weigh-in festivities happen at the 101 Boat Dock on Norfork Lake.
Takeoff and weigh-in festivities happen at the 101 Boat Dock on Norfork Lake.
Teams staged in dock slips and floated in between the marina while waiting for takeoff.
Teams staged in dock slips and floated in between the marina while waiting for takeoff.
Some teams had frosty front decks after the sub freezing temperatures overnight.
Some teams had frosty front decks after the sub freezing temperatures overnight.
There are 162 teams competing this year and this is the 4th year of the Team Championship.
There are 162 teams competing this year and this is the 4th year of the Team Championship.
At 6:32 a.m. it was still dark, but takeoff was underway before 6:50.
At 6:32 a.m. it was still dark, but takeoff was underway before 6:50.
Some boats launched at other ramps and pulled into the marina cove.
Some boats launched at other ramps and pulled into the marina cove.
Meanwhile those at the dock worked on tackle.
Meanwhile those at the dock worked on tackle.
The defending champs of this event, Ty Faber and Jon Gardner, were the first boat to leave the dock this morning.
The defending champs of this event, Ty Faber and Jon Gardner, were the first boat to leave the dock this morning.
The National Anthem was played and teams got buckled up for Day 1 launch.
The National Anthem was played and teams got buckled up for Day 1 launch.
Ed Loughran and Chris McCain of Virginia stand at attention.
Ed Loughran and Chris McCain of Virginia stand at attention.
The first 10 boats were docked up and the rest floated as they funneled through the marina.
The first 10 boats were docked up and the rest floated as they funneled through the marina.
Faber starts his motor and gets ready to go.
Faber starts his motor and gets ready to go.
The boats head out after getting their lights, livewells and kill switch checked for the safety inspection.
The boats head out after getting their lights, livewells and kill switch checked for the safety inspection.
Kay Donaldson runs the Alabama Bass Trail, one of the best team trails in the nation and she was at takeoff documenting launch on Facebook Live.
Kay Donaldson runs the Alabama Bass Trail, one of the best team trails in the nation and she was at takeoff documenting launch on Facebook Live.
There will be plenty of key fob floats noting the boat number of each team.
There will be plenty of key fob floats noting the boat number of each team.
The defending Classic Fish-off Champion Scott Clift is hoping to have the chance to fish the Classic once again.
The defending Classic Fish-off Champion Scott Clift is hoping to have the chance to fish the Classic once again.
Teams from across the nation as well as a few foreign countries are represented here this week.
Teams from across the nation as well as a few foreign countries are represented here this week.
Some anglers prepared a little more than others for the cold temperatures.
Some anglers prepared a little more than others for the cold temperatures.
Australian anglers Dean Silvester and Mark Ferguson head out as boat 41.
Australian anglers Dean Silvester and Mark Ferguson head out as boat 41.
Trevor Prince and Barron Adams fished the Classic Fish-off last year after notching a Top 3 in the team portion of this event.
Trevor Prince and Barron Adams fished the Classic Fish-off last year after notching a Top 3 in the team portion of this event.
Candler McCollum and Mitch Mitchell of Alabama come through the check.
Candler McCollum and Mitch Mitchell of Alabama come through the check.
Former Classic competitor Terry McWilliams heads out with teammate, another former Classic competitor, Matt McCoy.
Former Classic competitor Terry McWilliams heads out with teammate, another former Classic competitor, Matt McCoy.
Jason Talbot and Dan Hattabaugh of Arizona roll through in a former Bassmaster Classic Triton.
Jason Talbot and Dan Hattabaugh of Arizona roll through in a former Bassmaster Classic Triton.
Frosty front decks this morning.
Frosty front decks this morning.
What boat? I can't see a boat?
What boat? I can’t see a boat?
Someone left their rods on the front deck overnight it seems.
Someone left their rods on the front deck overnight it seems.
Boats check in starting at 2:45 p.m. CT and weigh-in will start soon after that.
Boats check in starting at 2:45 p.m. CT and weigh-in will start soon after that.