San Juan opens the can of extra-range castles
The Joves de Valls perform their best Sant Joan and the Colla Vella performs an unprecedented fin.
ValleysThe Blat de Valls square once again marked a turning point in the season. The Joves de Valls and Colla Vella groups arrived with a top-notch program and managed to secure the first castellers of the extra-range variety seen this season. Furthermore, this festival had some spectacular performances: the reds had the best San Juan in their history, and the rosés an unprecedented finish. The castellers performed under blazing sunshine and temperatures exceeding 33 degrees.
Impeccable start.
Both teams decided to make a comfortable start, in the form of a 3-of-9 with a lineup. They had already beaten him the night before in the Compline performance and were able to score with absolute confidence.
Assault on the extra range
In the second round, the extra range was attacked, and the first to do so was the Jóvenes team with the 2 of 9, with a lining and handcuffs. The first attempt was dismantled when the twos entered, due to the difficulties the handcuffs had in stabilizing the castle. However, there were no doubts among the Red Devils, and in the second round, they unloaded it.
At first, the handcuffs and quarters were also unable to work comfortably, but with the entrance of the twos, they controlled it and ended up unloading it without excessive complications. Thus, those from Gassó Street completed the first extra range seen this season, an unprecedented feat in the history of the Reds.
The Colla Vella also had a clear idea in the second round. In their case, the chosen castle was the 5 of 9 with a lining. The castle was a trademark of the pink DNA, with constant shuffling, but without endangering the structure.
Modernity finds its place in Valls
For the third round, La Vella had a new castle in its portfolio, one previously only achieved by the Castellers de Vilafranca: the 7 of 9 with a roof. Just this year, the Rosés built this modern structure for the first time, with eight floors, and they wanted to raise it on a roof. But their success was half-hearted. On the way up, the fourth section already had to fight hard, and the castle had been heavily burdened with prior wear and tear. Thus, it finally gave way when they were sixth. Thus, the Vallencs performed a historic feat, but with a moderate celebration.
Previously, the Joves de Valls completed their rounds of castells with their first 4 of 9 with a roof of the year, which also required effort. The castle gradually lost its size, especially on the third floor, and they ended up unloading it with great doses of sweat.
The Jóvenes show off the pillar.
The Reds have been building a splendid tower for a few years now, and this June 24th they showed it off again. Thus, they closed with the first eight-man tower with a lining and handcuffs seen this season, and they executed it brilliantly. The Portal Nou team, in turn, also debuted the seven-man tower with a lining.
The Sant Joan festival, therefore, raises the bar for the Vallenque groups and also for the human tower season. The human tower summer has arrived, and great excitement awaits us.
Nine-man towers in Tarragona and Vilassar de Mar
The other major Sant Joan event is in Tarragona, with the city's four groups. This Tuesday's performance featured the first 9-figure castle by the Joven de Tarragona, in the form of a forrado (four). The Lilas also scored the 2-figure 8 with forro (four-figure) and the 4-figure 8 with a needle. Meanwhile, the Niños de Tarragona took another step forward in their slow start to the season, debuting the 3-figure 8, in addition to performing the 4-figure 8. The Colla Castellera de Sant Pau also scored the basic eight, and Niños del Serrallo completed their first 5-figure 7 of the year as a featured castle.
In recent years, Vilassar de Mar has also established itself as a relevant place for Sant Joan thanks to the presence of the Capgrossos de Mataró. On this occasion, the Maresme team has unloaded its second 3 of 9 with lining of the course, accompanied by the 5 of 8 and the 7 of 8. They have been accompanied by the Xics of Granollers, with castles of seven.