In the writing game, we learn quickly that the first paragraph in any
story, column or article is the most important. How then, does someone
put this sentence at the beginning of an article on yesterday's
Everstart Clear Lake event?

"Using a catch of 24 pounds, 10 ounces, Sieg Taylor of Clearlake,
Calif., failed to relinquish the top spot on the leaderboard for the
third day in the row."

He certainly AVOIDED relinquishing the lead, but how can anyone familiar
with the English langause equate that with a FAILURE? "Fail" implies
that he did not accomplish his goals. I'd hate to see what they would
have written about him is he HAD relinquished the lead!