"It's fantastic," said Koet. "I'm always so happy to be here. It's amazing."/>
"It's fantastic," said Koet. "I'm always so happy to be here. It's amazing."/>
"It's fantastic," said Koet. "I'm always so happy to be here. It's amazing." />
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Koet wins Beach sand sculpting event

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Thomas Koet's winning piece "Mirage" qualified him for the 2010 World Championships next September.
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Thomas Koet shows the Golden Ticket to the World Championships after winning top honors at the 23rd annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival on Sunday on Fort Myers Beach.

Thomas Koet captured first place at the 23rd annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival on Fort Myers Beach this past weekend.

Koet, who won at this location last year, defended his title with the sculpture “Mirage.” He was ecstatic about the victory.

“It’s fantastic,” said Koet. “I’m always so happy to be here. It’s amazing.”

Rounding out the top five winners was second-place finisher Carl Jara with “Unraveling”; third-place finisher Dan Belcher with “The Pheonix”; fourth-place finisher Karen Fralich with “Breaking Point”; and fifth-place finisher Dan Doubleday with “Arielle.”

Koet automatically qualified for the 2010 World Championships next September in Federal Way, Wash.