I was pretty excited to sit down and watch the coverage from day one of the Bassmaster Classic. Aside from watching the likes of IKE and Skeet Reese carry-on and swing for the fences, this Bassmaster Classic marks the first time that a woman is competing in the most prestigious tournament in bass fishing. Kim Bain-Moore qualified to fish the Classic this year by fishing her way to AOY on the Women's Bassmaster Tour (WBT) and winning the WBT Championship. But after watching a few interviews with guys like Ken Cook and Paul Elias I started to get the feeling that Kim Bain-Moore was an unwelcome addition to the traditionally all-male Bassmaster Classic. However, once I heard the comments made by Bernie Schultz, Scott Rook, Greg Hackney, and Peter Thliveros, it was very clear that Kim was not welcome and that they, and many other anglers, did not think she deserved to be there.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Schultz said, "The simple fact remains that she did not qualify like the rest of the competitors. She didn't compete against the guys who earned the right to be here. She competed with a completely different league of anglers."
What?!? Are you kidding me? Look at the Classic line-up: Aside from Kim, (who qualified through the WBT) 36 anglers are from the Elite Series, 6 are from the BASS Opens (including Rick Clunn), 6 qualified through the Federation Nation, and 1 qualified through the BASS Weekend Series. Call me crazy, but aren't those all different leagues of anglers?
In the same interview, Peter Thliveros said, "I don't really care that she's fishing, my biggest gripe about it is she was given an opportunity that none of us were ever given. None of us had the opportunity to fish [the WBT]. It's a girls' club".
What, What, What!?! I think Peter Thliveros needs to recount his blessings before he says he and his Elite Series brethren haven't been given opportunities. The Elite Series and the other circuits leading up to it (like the E-50's) have given them the opportunity to make a career out of bass fishing - I would say that is a huge opportunity and I think it is pretty selfish of him to say he is feeling excluded and missing out on an opportunity. As far as it being a "girls' club", yeah - maybe it is, but tournament bass fishing has always been a boys club and the Elite series is the grand pubah of boys' clubs.
What these guys are not considering is that the WBT is giving women an opportunity to compete in a traditionally male dominated sport and to make a career out of it - it is leveling the playing field in tournament bass fishing. Having Kim compete in the Classic will increase the popularity of the WBT, attract new fans and new sponsors, and above all, encouraging women to become involved in outdoor sports. All of which is going to, ultimately, help the sport of bass fishing.
Kim has every right to be fishing in the Classic. She qualified through her division, just like all the other anglers. If you ask me, these guys are being a little selfish, a little chauvinisitc, elitist, very short-sighted, and above all, worried about getting beat by a girl. I also think that they are worried about having to fish with a girl on the Elite Series. I'll tell ya - I hope Kim decides to fish the Elite Series and beats these guys day-in and day-out (shouldn't be too hard to beat Schultz - he hasn't won in 25 years with BASS). Go get 'em, Kim!
Here are the interviews with Bernie Schultz, Scott Rook, and Greg Hackney:
2.21.2009
2009 Bassmaster Classic: No Girls Allowed...Apparently
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5 comments:
Ok... some candid remarks by a few of the guys. In short, they didn't feel like she should be there. Seems to me that their criticism was directed toward BASS, not at Bain-Moore. Doubtless she was mentally prepared to hear some snide remarks as she broke the gender barrier and took a seat in the good ol' boy club. She's tough enough to let slights, perceived or real, roll off her back. She qualified according to the rules established by BASS and had a right to be there. Although she didn't perform up to her capabilities, her attitude and demeanor reflected well on the professionalism and grace of WBT anglers.
I agree sean, some of the sponsors of the few select guys might not feel the same about them. Its the Classis, not a time to worry about anyone besides yourself, not your competitors.....
I do believe the remarks are against BASS and not Kim. I think their biggest gripe is that an Elite Angler spot was given up to add a WBT spot. I think it did bring a lot of media and attention to the sport and the event, but I do agree that women could qualify throught the Federation Nation, Weekend Series, Open, or Elites but they have not. I have no problem with a Woman in the Classic, but it was funny during the coverage, they said until this point, "Women were not allowed to fish the Classic", which is completely false, they have always been allowed, they just never qualified until a special qualificaion method was made for just females. Its not like the Masters, where Women are really not allowed.
I do see there side of it as well, I believe they feel the WBT is the least competitive route to get to the Classic, and that is probably true.
What a pity that people cannot get past gender issues. If she is good enough to qualify on any level, let her fish!
It seems to me that some of the good ol' boys need to put up or shut up! I guess they are afraid she might just out-fish them.
Some men on the Classic shouldn't be there with their poor sportsman like attitudes and I say - give her their spot!
Long time no post on the blog...
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