Orsa Hondarribia delivered a significant performance in Galician waters during the first weekend of the Euskolabel League, securing the third fastest time of the day in the Chapela Bandera and repeating this result in Bueu, which keeps them in fifth place in the overall standings, tied with Getaria.
The Chapela regatta, a new race course, was significantly influenced by the currents of the Vigo estuary. The outer lanes, specifically the third and fourth, proved to be the fastest, benefiting boats like Santurtzi and Ama Guadalupekoa itself, which won their respective heats from the outside. Orio claimed the flag starting from the third lane.
Coach Mikel Orbañanos implemented his usual rotation strategy, fielding a crew composed of ten youth academy rowers. Starting from the fourth lane, the Ama Guadalupekoa took the first turn with a three-second lead over Donostiarra. On the return leg, Torrekua II closed the gap, but in the final stretch, the green boat once again extended its lead, winning its heat with a time of 19:58.32. This performance placed them ahead of top-heat boats such as Bermeo and Getaria.
In Bueu, Hondarribia competed in the top heat. Orbañanos made five changes to the crew. Zierbena and Orio pulled away in the battle for the flag, while Ama Guadalupekoa and Urdaibai engaged in a close contest for third place. The green boat improved on Getaria's time (19:54.12) by a second and a half, clocking 19:52.60. Urdaibai finished fifth on the day, five seconds behind.
It has been a fantastic weekend for the home trainera. They arrived in Galicia five points behind fourth place, held by Getaria, and are returning level. This collective effort is also reflected in the standings for the best helmsman, where Ioseba Amunarriz leads with 57 points, three ahead of Asier Zurinaga (Bermeo-Urdaibai).
Next weekend, the boats will race on Saturday (18:15) in the bay of San Sebastián for the XVIII Bandera Fabrika, and on Sunday (12:20) in the waters of Getxo.
Meanwhile, the men's reserve team, Orsa Hondarribia B, finished ninth in the time trial at Erandio. In the Liga ARC-1, they currently hold eighth position with 39 points, just one point behind Astillero (seventh).
