KEY WEST, Florida Keys — A $100,000 cash prize awaits the team that catches and releases the largest confirmed number of sailfish during the 2006 World Sailfish Championship, scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday, April 18-22, in Florida Keys waters.

The winners of some of South Florida’s most prestigious sailfish tournaments, as well as celebrity participants and other elite anglers, are to vie for mastery during three days of hard-fought fishing.

A $15,000 second prize and a $10,000 third prize bring the tournament’s total purse to $125,000 in cash.

Celebrities slated to be on hand for the championship and its associated festivities include Don Shula of Miami Dolphins fame; ESPN fishing show host and writer Captain Norm Isaacs, who is to emcee the event; legendary angler Stu Apte and Captain José Wejebe, host of the ESPN2 fishing program “Spanish Fly.”

The World Sailfish Championship is to benefit the Don Shula Foundation, dedicated to breast cancer research; Camp Boggy Creek, a permanent, year-round, no-cost camp for young people with chronic and life-threatening illnesses; the Guy Harvey Research Institute, dedicated to expanding the scientific knowledge needed to conserve the world’s fish populations and maintain fish biodiversity; the Key West chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Rotary Club of Key West.

Final registration for the World Sailfish Championship is slated for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, overlooking Key West Harbor at Mallory Square, the tournament headquarters.

That evening, events are to include a captains meeting, kickoff party and opening ceremonies featuring a 7:10 p.m. military flyover. Fishing is set for 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, April 19 and 20, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

Social highlights are to include a private charity dinner with celebrities and friends of the tournament at Shula’s on the Beach, 1435 Simonton St., scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. Priced at $500 per person and limited to 120 attendees, the gala is to benefit the tournament’s charities.

Anglers and guests who do not attend the dinner can feast on seafood at a 7 p.m. seafood extravaganza at Mallory Square.

Other tournament social events are to include private parties for anglers and their guests set for Friday, April 21, the non-fishing “lay day.” Friday’s schedule is to be capped by a free evening concert at Mallory Square.

Following Saturday’s fishing, a dinner and awards ceremony are slated for 7 p.m. under the tournament tent at Mallory Square.

The $4,300 per boat entry fee allows entry for up to five anglers and their captain, as well as six VIP social passes which provide for admission to private parties, gourmet meals, full access to a VIP hospitality area with a nightly open bar and personal assistance with hotels and slip reservations. There is no charge for additional anglers, but additional social privileges are $425 per person.

For more information about the World Sailfish Championship, and tournament registration forms, visit www.worldsailfish.com, call (866) 482-7529 or e-mail info@worldsailfish.com.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or explore this Web site.