Zarautz, under the guidance of Gari Uranga, has lived up to expectations by winning the opening time trial of the ARC-1 league held in the waters of Astillero. The Zarautz boat has solidified its status as the top favorite to compete in the promotion play-offs for the Eusko Label League. The team from Gipuzkoa emerged victorious after a close contest with Zumaia, overcoming them by a narrow margin of one second and 97 hundredths (20:53.67).
The Zarautz club achieved a double victory in the Cantabrian town, as their women's crew also won the corresponding race in the Liga ETE.
In the time trial, the boats were divided into two groups of six rowers for the start, with one-minute intervals. The first group included San Pedro, Arkote, Hibaika, Kaiku, Astillero, and Pedreña. Zumaia was third to last, and the final boat to begin rowing was Zarautz, with Aitzol Garro at the stern.
The Telmo Deun set the best time up to that point in the first turn, and the Enbata matched its record shortly after (5:24). The Zarautz crew improved upon the Zumaia time by just one second in the second maneuver (10:14-10:15), and both boats clocked identical times in the third turn (16:06). However, in the final stretch, Zarautz managed to overtake the boat steered by Mikel Portularrume, crossing the finish line with less than two seconds advantage.
Zumaia, also considered a contender for the play-offs prior to the season, demonstrated that it will be a tough rival for other candidates. The third position went to Deusto, nearly five seconds behind the Telmo Deun.
San Pedro narrowly missed fourth place, but Astillero snatched it by just six hundredths, meaning the Libia will not be able to row in the top heat this Sunday on their home waters. Hondarribia B, meanwhile, secured a strong sixth position, and the newly promoted teams Hibaika and Orio B finished in tenth and eleventh place, respectively. Arkote ended last, requiring over twelve seconds more than Orio B to complete the course.
The disappointment of the regatta was Kaiku. The boat coached by Mikel Arostegi, which competed in the Eusko Label league last year, had to settle for a modest ninth position.
The bay of Pasaia will host the second round of the ARC-1 this Sunday (12:00 PM). The season's first line race will award the Bandera Adinberri, requiring the rowers to complete five turns and six long stretches.
Standings:
1. Zarautz: 20:53.67
2. Zumaia: 20:55.64
3. Deusto: 21.00.58
4. Astillero: 21:16.82
5. San Pedro: 21:16.88
6. Hondarribia B: 21:17.42
7. Lapurdi: 21:19.79
8. Pedreña: 21:26.73
9. Kaiku: 21:38.05
10. Hibaika: 21:40.10
11. Orio B: 21:48.70
12. Arkote:22:01.81
1. Zarautz: 20:53.67
2. Zumaia: 20:55.64
3. Deusto: 21.00.58
4. Astillero: 21:16.82
5. San Pedro: 21:16.88
6. Hondarribia B: 21:17.42
7. Lapurdi: 21:19.79
8. Pedreña: 21:26.73
9. Kaiku: 21:38.05
10. Hibaika: 21:40.10
11. Orio B: 21:48.70
12. Arkote:22:01.81
In the ARC-2 category, Castro claimed victory (21:07.98), ahead of Camargo and Portugalete. Mutriku, returning to competition after a two-year hiatus, achieved sixth place (22:38.96), surpassing Laredo and Lutxana.
The second round of the ARC-2 will take place next Saturday in the waters of Elantxobe.
