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One last Grand Pavois Fishing event full of excitement
Available on the Grand Pavois Fishing since its founding in 2007 , the Mercury Pro Team was once again in action in 2026. But this edition had a special significance, as it marked the final competition for Didier Courtois .
For this final outing, the fisherman was joined by his trusted teammate Jean Servant , a fishing guide in the Arcachon Basin and a Mercury ambassador for nearly ten years.
The duo also had on board Antoine Neau , who recently joined the Mercury Pro Team. He filled in for Benjamin Duval, who was absent after recently becoming a father.
Second place after the first round
On the water, Didier Courtois and his teammates hadn't come just to celebrate a long career.
Right from the first race, the crew put in an excellent performance and managed to climb to the Provisional 2nd place in the 2026 Grand Pavois Fishing Tournament . An ideal start that allows the trio to approach the rest of the competition with real hopes of a podium finish.
The second round, however, proved to be much more difficult. In a particularly competitive field, the crew was unable to hold onto its spot among the top three.
Didier Courtois, Jean Servant, and Antoine Neau ultimately finished in a respectable 10th place in the overall standings .
Didier Courtois Turns a New Page
But the sporting result almost took a back seat as they made their way back to port. After several decades devoted to competition, Didier Courtois has decided to hang up his competitive fishing rods for good .
That last appearance, then, felt like a celebration.
An experienced angler and a well-known figure in the fishing community, Didier Courtois has built a reputation over the years that goes far beyond his competitive achievements. His knowledge of fishing and aquatic environments?but above all, his desire to share his experience?has guided several generations of anglers.
Within the Mercury Pro Team , he has also become one of the team's iconic figures and an ambassador for the values of passion, sharing, and camaraderie championed by the brand.
One last competition to cap off a career
The Grand Pavois Fishing 2026 thus provided a symbolic conclusion to this long sporting adventure: a provisional second-place finish after the first round, a 10th place overall , but above all, the many moments he shared with his teammates, partners, and friends.
For Mercury and its Pro Team, this year's event will be remembered as a tribute to a fisherman who devoted much of his life to his passion and to passing it on to others.
Didier Courtois is retiring from competition, but certainly not from the world of fishing. A chapter is coming to a close after several decades spent by the water and on the water, with one final, emotionally charged Grand Pavois Fishing event.
Yann Diquerreau, Marketing Manager at Mercury Marine France, says:
"Even though he?s hanging up his rods in competition today, Didier will remain a full-fledged member of the Mercury family. Throughout his career, he has passionately championed our brand?s values and helped inspire countless anglers with his love of fishing. We would like to sincerely thank him for all these years of loyalty, dedication, and trust. A chapter is closing, but the best stories never really end."
