The Moixiganguers make history at All Saints' Day and enter the extra range

Vilafranca del PenedèsNovember 1st is synonymous with the All Saints' Day celebration, the Plaça de la Vila in Vilafranca del Penedès, and the end of the season. One of the most anticipated events in the 'casteller' calendar brought together this Sunday the Castellers de Vilafranca, the Moixiganguers d’Igualada, the Xiquets de Tarragona, and the Capgrossos de Mataró. The day arrived with significant challenges for all four groups: the Vilafranca team wanted to put the finishing touch on an extraordinary season with 10-level human towers and clean structures; the Igualada group sought to make the definitive leap to the 'gamma extra' category, while the Tarragona team and the navy-blue shirt wearers had the 'tripleta' as their major objective.

The Castellers de Vilafranca arrived at their celebration after a season of a high level, with the desire to close it with a performance that would bring together some of the most demanding towers in their repertoire. The objectives included the 3d10fm, the 4d10fm, and the 4d9sf. There was also the possibility on the table of trying the pd9fmp again, which the group had successfully built for Sant Fèlix, or betting on the pd8fm. The hosts opened the square with the 4d10fm. The structure progressed with difficulties, with the 'manilles' and the fourth-level participants not quite finding the necessary comfort. Even so, the 'acotxador' managed to get into position. When the 'enxaneta' began to take the three steps to complete the loading, the fifth-level participants ended up giving way and the tower collapsed.

The second bet was the 3d10fm, but it was not possible on the first attempt either. With the fifth-level participants already in place, one of the rows began to lose its position and the group opted to dismantle the tower before the situation escalated further. The 'Verds', however, did not give up on the 10-level tower. In the third round, they returned to it, and this time the 3d10fm rose with more guarantees. The group was able to unload it, and the square accompanied the construction with shouts of "Vilafranca, Vilafranca". After the difficulties of the first two attempts, the locals shook off the frustration with one of the great constructions of the day.

The challenge of the 4d9sf still remained. Àngel Grau's group tried it first, but they decided to dismantle it because the structure did not end up being square enough. Later, they tried again. This time they managed to load it, but the human tower ended up giving way just as the 'dosos' (the pair at the top) were beginning to climb out. The 'Verds' thus remained at the gates of unloading their first clean human tower of the season. To close the performance, those in the green shirt unloaded the 4d9fa and opted for the pd8fm. The pillar was especially worked on and, in the most delicate moments, the 'manilles' (the second level of support) had to intervene to prevent the structure from collapsing. Finally, they were able to unload it and put an end to the festival and to a season marked by a wide repertoire of great constructions.

One of the most awaited moments of All Saints' Day was the attempt by the Moixiganguers d'Igualada with the 2d9fm. Those in the purple shirt had already sought this construction at the Castells Competition on October 4th, but at that time they had to leave it as an attempt. In Vilafranca, they arrived with the desire to try it again and achieve a milestone that would definitively place the group among those of the 'extra range'. The people from Igualada opened the square with the 3d9f, which they unloaded. It was an important first round to gain confidence before facing the great challenge of the day. The group was able to complete the human tower and face the second round with guarantees.

Then the moment of the tower of 9 arrived. After a first base, the Moixiganguers did not give up on the objective and tried again. In the second attempt, the human tower kept gaining height until reaching the loading point. The construction demanded a lot of work from the 'folre' (the base) and the 'manilles', but it managed to be completed. However, when the 'dosos' were already beginning to descend, the structure lost stability and ended up collapsing.

The unloading remained pending, but the achievement was already in the bag. The Moixiganguers had loaded the first 'extra range' human tower in their history and have become the tenth group to achieve it. A milestone that culminates the growth of the people from Igualada and that opens a new stage in the trajectory of the group. In the third round, the Moixiganguers unloaded the 4d9f, their fifth of the season. In this way, they closed the day with the 3d9f, the 2d9fm (c), and the 4d9f. A performance that is already the best in their history.

The Xiquets de Tarragona consolidate themselves as a group of 9

The Xiquets de Tarragona arrived in Vilafranca with the 'tripleta' (set of three high-level human towers) as their main goal. The 'matalassers' (nickname for the group) had started the season with the challenge of recovering nine-story human towers after a 2025 without any construction of this category. The first 4d9f of the year arrived in July and, since then, the people of Tarragona have been consolidating their repertoire. They opened the performance precisely with the 4d9f. The tower went up with some changes in the upper floors and required work, but the group managed to maintain it until completing the descent. It was the eighth of the season, a figure that shows the consistency they have been achieving in this construction.

In the second round, they faced the 3d9f. The tower demanded effort from the base and throughout the entire descent, but the Xiquets managed to complete it. With this three-story structure, the matalassers added a new nine-story construction and approached the main goal of the day. To finish, they opted for the 7d8, which they have also unloaded this year. In this way, the people of Tarragona completed their maximum performance and confirmed the good evolution of the season. For the Xiquets, however, there is still one performance left in Altafulla before definitively closing the year.

The Capgrossos de Mataró repeat the 'magic tripleta'

The Capgrossos de Mataró also arrived at All Saints' Day with a well-defined objective. After a season without clear opportunities to tackle 'gamma extra' (extra level) castles, the Mataró group wanted to repeat the combination of 4d9f, 3d9f, and 5d8 that they had already completed at the TAP. They started with the 4d9f. After an initial dismantled base, the Capgrossos raised the castle again and were able to unload it. The construction required a lot of work, especially from the thirds during the descent, but the group knew how to maintain it until the end.

In the second round, they bet on the 3d9f, which they also unloaded. With two nine-story constructions in the bag, the Mataró group already had a good part of the work done and could face the last challenge with the possibility of repeating the 'tripleta màgica' (magic triplet). The 5d8 was the castle chosen to close the performance. The Capgrossos completed it and thus confirmed the combination they had already achieved at the TAP.

For the Verds, All Saints' Day was the end point of an extraordinary season; for the Moixiganguers, the entry into the 'gamma extra' opens a new stage; and for the Xiquets and the Capgrossos, this Sunday's performances confirm the work done throughout the year. Vilafranca has thus bid farewell to another All Saints' Day with top-level castles and a historic milestone for the casteller world: there is now a new 'gamma extra' group.