A Kent-based company has taken a leaf out of Victor Kiam’s book – they liked a competition so much they’re sponsoring it.

GB Baits, from Ashford, has entered a team in the World Carp Classic regularly – even winning in 2000 – and this year the company has decided to sponsor part of the event.

The lake at Amance is split into 10 sections with each section being sponsored – and GB Baits has joined the list of sponsors. But they will still be competing.

Partner Gary Searles was part of the team who won the event in 2000 and he recalled: “Two of our lads – Paul Watts and Paul Harrison – won the overall event and I was part of the other quartet which took the team title.

“Paul Watts actually broke his foot in two places just before the event. But he didn’t realise and just took some painkillers, carried on and won it.

“And when it was at Amance for the first time, we finished sixth and seventh but took the prize for the biggest fish.”

He added: “We couldn’t fish last year because we couldn’t make the dates – but we’re back this year and we’re confident.

“It’s a good event and it’s the right time of the year. It’s a really enjoyable occasion because you meet lads from all over the place, like Sweden and Hungary – people you wouldn’t normally meet.

“And in our line it’s also very good for business as well.”

Now moving into its sixth year, the World Carp Classic in association with Rod Hutchinson brings together carp anglers from all across the world to compete for a £10,000 first prize and a £25,000 prize table.

The 2004 World Carp Classic in association with Rod Hutchinson returns to the record-breaking Lac Amance, Foret d’Orient, in the Champagne region of France, scene of the most prolific World Carp Classic to date. In the 2001 event, the two hundred plus international field caught nearly 1 TON of carp!

The World Carp Classic in association with Rod Hutchinson is a unique 66-hour enduro event fished over three nights with four rods per pair. In addition to the fishing the event has also made a name for itself with the famous pre-match BBQ and party – and 2004 will be no different.

For the second year running the event will have an official marshalling team from Sparsholt, the specialist fishing college.

A new website at www.worldcarpclassic.com  will keep competitors informed of developments.

For an entry form or more information contact info@worldcarpclassic.com or telephone tournament headquarters on 00 (0) 44 2392 827000.