August 8, 2020 – Zagreb and Stablina are the winners of the 23rd Ladja Marathon on the Neretva River.
HRT reports that these two crews alternated in the lead throughout the race. Zagreb was the first to enter the finish line, but the judges later decided that both teams were the winners and that there would be no second place, for the first time in the history of the competition.
The reason for this move was that at one point in the race, the Zagreb team took away the advantage from Stablina.
Sveti Ilija from Metkovic came in third.
On the 22.5-kilometer-long track from Metkovic to Ploce, organized by the Neretva Boatmen’s Association, 35 crews competed for the Great Shield of Prince Domagoj. Each boat crew consists of 10 rowers, a drummer and helmsman.
Before arriving in Opuzen, the crews of Stablina, Crni put Metkovic, Zagreb and Slivno were in the lead, and in Komin, for more than half of the race, the leaders were Zagreb and Stablina. After almost two hours of racing, Stablina and Zagreb were still at the top, followed by two Metkovic crews, Sveti Ilija and Crni put.
This year’s marathon was held without spectators and under the auspices of the President of the Republic Zoran Milanovic.
Last year, Gusari from Komin celebrated.
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