Regattas 2024 – the La Concha flag: Final Results

2024 Women’s La Concha Flag Results

The Arraun Lagunak team won the 2024 Women’s La Concha Flag, achieving their third historic victory in this competition. They dominated from start to finish, surpassing their main contenders, such as Donostiarra, Orio, and Tolosaldea, from the outset. In a race marked by favorable conditions and excellent performance from the rowers, Arraun Lagunak progressively increased their lead. Finally, Arraun Lagunak triumphed with a time of 21:04.422, followed by Donostiarra and Orio in second and third place, respectively.

2024 Men’s La Concha Flag Results

Bermeo won their third consecutive La Concha Flag, adding their eighth victory in the history of this prestigious competition. With clear dominance, Bermeo won both the first and second days of the regatta, securing a cumulative lead of 26 seconds over their closest competitor, Zierbena, who finished second overall. Donostiarra placed third, while Orio secured fourth place, surpassing Hondarribia by just two hundredths of a second.

History of the La Concha Flag

The La Concha flag, also known as estropadak, are one of the most important and oldest rowing competitions in the Basque Country. These regattas, which are held every year in the Bahía de la Concha in San Sebastián, have their origin in the world of open sea fishing, where trawlers were used to capture species such as sardines and anchovies. These boats required strong and resistant crews, capable of rowing for long hours to reach the fishing grounds, and returning to the port quickly with the catch to participate in the auctions.

The first official edition of the La Concha flag took place in 1879, when this competition was included in the program of summer celebrations in San Sebastián. On that occasion, the fishing trawlers that traditionally faced each other in challenges for money, began to compete for the prized flag, which marked the start of a tradition that continues to this day. Over more than a hundred years, the Concha flag has evolved, but it has always maintained its essence and its connection with the sea and fishing.

The trawlers that participate in this competition have very specific technical characteristics. These are slender boats about 12 meters in length, which have a crew of between 12 and 13 rowers, as well as a skipper who is in charge of directing the course. Although over time engines replaced the power of rowers in fishing boats, the trawlers have retained their traditional design for competitions, keeping the essence of this ancient fishing practice alive.

La Concha Bay is the perfect setting for this competition, with its semicircular shape and relatively calm waters, which offer an ideal regatta field. The competition takes place over two days, the first two Sundays in September, and brings together thousands of spectators who gather in emblematic places such as Urgull, Igeldo, the New Walk and the Pier to follow the race closely.

One of the important milestones in the history of the La Concha flag was the incorporation of the women’s category in 2008. Since then, women have actively participated in the competition, and have become a fundamental part of the event. This inclusion responds to the growing demand for equality in sport and reflects the organization’s commitment to gender parity.

La Concha Regattas competition system is based on a first phase of qualifying regattas, which are held in the days prior to the main competition. In these qualifiers, the trawlers compete against the clock to obtain one of the seven places that will allow them to compete in the final. On the final day, in both the men’s and women’s categories, two rounds are carried out with the best trawlers, and the crew that obtains the best time calculation in the two days will be the winner of the La Concha flag.

The La Concha Flag Regattas 2024

The 2024 edition of the La Concha flag promises to be an exciting event, with a wide participation of traineras in both the men’s and women’s categories. This year, the competition will take place on September 1 and 8, as is traditional, in La Concha Bay, where the best rowing teams on the Cantabrian coast will meet.

Key and qualifying dates

The qualifying regattas, which determine which clubs will join the main competition, will be held on August 28 and 29. On August 28, it will be the turn of the 23 men’s trawlers, who will compete in a time trial over 3 nautical miles. On August 29, it will be the turn of the 20 female trawlers, who will travel a distance of 1.5 nautical miles. Both tests will be carried out at one-minute intervals between each boat, and only the seven best trawlers in each modality will advance to the final phase.

The final competition

September 1 and 8 will be the main days of the La Concha Regattas. In these two days, both the male and female trawlers will face each other in La Concha Bay, seeking to win the flag. The format of the competition maintains its tradition: each crew will compete in two rounds and the winner will be the one with the best accumulated time on both days.

The event is not only a high-level sporting spectacle, but it has also become an essential event for fans of rowing and Basque culture. Thousands of people gather around the bay to follow the competition live, while many others enjoy it through television broadcasts.

Participation and prizes in 2024

In the 2024 edition, a total of 43 trawlers will participate in the qualifying regattas, 23 in the men’s category and 20 in the women’s category. The local team, Kaiarriba Donostiarra, is one of the big favorites and is expected to fight to maintain the high level it has shown in previous editions.

Participating Teams in the Men’s Category

Participating Teams in the Women’s Category

Regarding the awards, the organization maintains its commitment to equality, granting the same financial amounts in both the male and female categories. The total prizes amount to €85,500, of which €25,000 and the flag will be awarded to the winning crews. In addition, each rower and shirt from the winning teams will receive a miniature replica of the flag as a souvenir of their participation.

For the ninth consecutive time, the Guipuzcoan business association ADEGI will present the special prize to the Guipuzcoan trawler with the best accumulated time on both days. This award includes a trophy in the shape of a trawler and an additional financial reward of €5,500.

Specific Details of the 2024 La Concha Flag

Sponsors and Trophies

The 2024 edition of the La Concha flag is sponsored by various entities that reinforce the importance of this event. Euskadiko Kirol Portuak, for example, sponsors both the men’s and women’s categories, and will be in charge of presenting trophies to the winning crews along with the La Concha flag.

In addition, the ADEGI association, which has been supporting the competition for the last nine years, will present the special prize to the best Gipuzkoan trainer, both in the men’s and women’s categories. This prize consists of €5,500 and a trophy that reproduces a trawler. These types of incentives reinforce the commitment to the quality and competitiveness of the regatta.

Tickets and Access

The La Concha flag event always attracts a large crowd of fans, and 2024 will be no exception. For those who wish to witness the event live, tickets can be purchased in several ways. Prices for general access are €4.5, while reduced tickets, intended for unemployed people, pensioners and those under 30 years of age, are available for €2.20. Boys and girls up to 12 years old can enter for free.

There is also an option for grandstand tickets, which cost €9. Children under 5 years old can enter for free if they do not occupy a seat. Tickets can be purchased in advance from August 22 through the Donostia Kultura website, or on the day of the regattas at the ticket offices located at the different access points starting at 9:30 in the morning. .

On the days of the qualifying regattas, on August 28 and 29, it will only be necessary to purchase tickets for the grandstand, and these will be available at the Victoria Eugenia Theater and at the ticket office located next to the grandstand.

Cultural Relevance and Public Expectation

La Concha Regattas is not only a sporting competition, but also an event deeply rooted in Basque and San Sebastian culture. Every year, the city of San Sebastián dedicates itself to celebrating this event, which is one of the most important moments in the Basque sports calendar.

Thousands of people gather around Bahía de la Concha, creating a unique atmosphere that mixes sport with tradition and cultural identity. Furthermore, the live broadcast on television and digital platforms allows the excitement of the regattas to reach many homes, not only in the Basque Country, but throughout Spain.

The presence of the women’s sport, which has grown in popularity since its incorporation in 2008, has been a reflection of the commitment to equality in sport. In recent editions, women’s teams have demonstrated their competitive level, and the inclusion of this category has brought a new dimension to the La Concha Regattas

Tickets and more information

Author: Descubre Donostia