TEAM CROWN ROYAL FISHERMAN SNAGS SECOND PLACE
AT CITGO BASSMASTERS CLASSIC AND SETS SIGHTS ON WAL-MART
FLW CHAMPIONSHIPS


Aaron Martens Returns Just Shy of Bass Fishing’s Biggest Prize
DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 15, 2002) -- California’s Aaron Martens returns to professional
fishing competition September 11-14 to lead Team Crown Royal at the Wal-Mart FLW
Championships in Shreveport, La. after finishing second at the CITGO BASSMasters
Classic, July 25-27 at Lay Lake, near Birmingham, Ala.

The 29-year-old star of Team Crown Royal took home the runner-up check for
$55,000, at the CITGO BASSMasters Classic in July, while Texan Jay Yelas turned in
one of the most dominating performances in the tournament’s history.
Yelas, who qualified for his 12th straight BASSMasters appearance, finally took
home the top prize, a check for $200,000. He controlled the event from the start,
becoming the first fisherman to earn big bass honors all three days and finishing with a
total of 45 pounds, 13 ounces.

Martens totaled 39 pounds, nine ounces for the three days of competition and said
his decision to target spotted bass over the heavier largemouths probably cost him the
title. Following the BASSMasters Classic, more than 20,000 fans filled the Birmingham
Jefferson Convention Complex to welcome the winners. More than 135,000 spectators
supported the three-day event.
After spending several years competing professionally on his own, Martens joined
Team Crown Royal. In just a few short years, Martens and his mother, Team Crown
Royal angler Carol Martens, took home eleven "Angler of the Year" titles. With an
impressive resume of over 30 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes to date, Martens has proved
himself to be a consistent and talented force in the sport of bass fishing.


Crown Royal maintains one of the strongest sponsorship programs in professional
fishing. Competitors like Martens, Peter ‘T’ Thliveros and team captain John Curry, plus
the enthusiastic response from audiences in Alabama and around the country, help prove
bass fishing’s popularity. With major-league prize money and an estimated 30 million
bass anglers in the United States who cast a line from time to time, professional fishing
has become a major-league sport with a broad audience.
Fans can find the latest information on Martens and the rest of Team Crown
Royal at www.teamcrownroyal.com. In addition to news, team member bios and an
interactive fishing game, fishing enthusiasts will be able to purchase Team Crown Royal
hats, shirts and other gear.


Team Crown Royal, which was formed in 1998, looks forward to continued
success in the professional fishing industry. In the past two years, members of the Team
have achieved many top finishes in national professional fishing tournaments. In
addition to their performance on the national bass fishing circuit, Team Crown Royal
tours the country to share angling skills and pro tips with fishermen and fans.
As the world’s leading super premium Canadian whisky, Crown Royal is proud to
help team members become leaders in the bass fishing arena. Through the professional
and promotional fishing team, Crown Royal is able to connect with a key consumer
segment, while also gaining exposure for the sport of bass fishing.
Diageo North America, Inc. produces and markets Crown Royal Canadian
Whisky ®, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Run ®, Seagram’s 7 American Whiskey ®,
Seagram’s VO Canadian Whisky ®, Myer’s Rum ®, Guinness ®, Smirnoff ®, Johnnie
Walker ®, J&B ®, and Bailey’s ®.