L'Arboç lights the fuse before Sant Fèlix

The ArboçIf anyone was looking for clues about what might happen at Sant Fèlix, l'Arboç has left a few. The festival has brought together three of the four groups that will meet in Vilafranca, and they have all taken advantage of the event to show some of their cards. The result has been a top-level day, with a 3d10fm from Castellers de Vilafranca, an unprecedented 4d9sf in the square by Colla Vella, and a new 2d9fm from Jove de Tarragona.

The half-hour delay with which the performance began did not prevent the square from experiencing an extraordinary day. Minyons de l'Arboç, moreover, took the opportunity to complete their best performance of the season.

Els Verds do not speculate

The Castellers de Vilafranca wanted to make things clear from the start. There wasn't much room for caution and the Verds immediately put up the 3d10fm. The ten responded well and the group was able to complete it without many complications. It's the second they've finished this season and, moreover, this one has a special meaning: it's been ten years since the Vilafranca group brought it to l'Arboç for the first time. With the 3d10fm already resolved, the group continued without changing pace.

The 5d9f was the second bet and arrived just 24 hours after the execution of the same castle in el Catllar. With this one, it's already five this season. The third challenge was the 4d9fa, which the Verds also completed. Another construction of maximum difficulty that confirms the depth of the Vilafranca repertoire. And the pillar was still to come. The pd8fm put the finishing touch to the performance and, once completed, the square began to demand one more step. The shouts of "one more floor" pointed directly to the great dream: the 9-story pillar with folre, manilles, and puntals.

The combination of castles allowed the Verds to equal their best performance, the one they had achieved in 2024. And the most significant thing is that they did it just before the most important event of the summer.

Another 4d9sf from La Vella

La Colla Vella has arrived at l'Arboç with less need to prove anything after the performance in Catllar. But the rosats have once again put one of the most difficult castles in the current repertoire on the square. The 4d9f opened their performance and gave way, in the second round, to the 4d9sf. The construction, which for years has been reserved for very specific occasions, seems to have become a specialty of the Vella. Today's is the fourth they have completed this season and the second in just two days. The sequence is particularly noteworthy: Sant Joan, Firagost, Catllar and now l'Arboç. Four squares and four completed.

In l'Arboç, moreover, it had an added appeal: it was the first time this castle had been completed in the square. The public's response was immediate, with a resounding ovation when the rosats culminated the completion.

La Vella has completed the 3d9f afterwards and has finished with the pillar of 6. A less ambitious performance than the previous day, but one that reinforces an increasingly evident idea: the 4d9sf is no longer a one-off bet for the rosats. And this opens an even bigger door. The 4d10fm is appearing with increasing force on the horizon of the group.

La Jove secures its flagship tower

The Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona has opted for a more conservative approach after a particularly demanding weekend. The lilacs started with the 3d9f and have saved their sure bet for the second round: the 2d9fm. The manilles had to work intensely during the unloading, but the Tarragona team has added another 2d9fm to their record. With this, those from Cós del Bou now have six 2d9fm this year. The 4d9f completed the castle program.

The group has decided not to build a pillar. The decision is understood in the context of a particularly busy calendar: Sant Magí, el Catllar and l'Arboç in just a few days and, in between, a pd8fm that had been loaded. With Sant Fèlix at the gates, the Tarragonans have preferred to conserve their strength and arrive in Vilafranca with their towers of nine well-worked.

Els Minyons de l'Arboç take a step forward

The hosts have also had their moment of prominence. Els Minyons de l’Arboç have completed the best performance of the season thanks to a classic of 7. The 4d7, which they debuted on this day, has been the main novelty and has been able to be unloaded with solvency. Then came the 3d7 and the 2d6, completing a performance that allows the locals to continue advancing without the need to skip any stage. It is good news for a group that seeks to consolidate its range and that has taken advantage of its great day to take a step forward in front of its audience.