PHOTOS: Luka Kancelar wins 46th traditional Prstenac Race

Luka Kancelar wins the 46th traditional Prstenac Race

BARBAN, 23 August 2021 – The 46th edition of the traditional three-day Prstenac tournament has ended in the Istrian town of Barban on Sunday with the Prstenac Race (Race of the Ring). 

A number of horsemen participated in the traditional jousting event on Sunday with Luka Kancelar, riding Furia Pipi, declared the winner with 7 points. 

Assisted by Alen Grizila, Kancelar collected 3 points after his first ride, 1 in his second and 3 more points in the last to complete an impressive victory.

It was the 34-year-old’s second win in 10 appearances at Prstenac. His last came in 2016. 

Kancelar received the Ptica prstenac and shield as well as 30,000 kuna. The President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, presented Kancelar with the awards.

With the host Robert Ferlin, performances by Barban majorettes, Brass Band Lovran, folklore societies KUD Barban and FD Pazin, it was a program-rich Sunday in Barban Gradišće. Tedi Trošt and Mihael Glavaš were responsible for the musical announcement at the Racecourse. 

The ring lifters were Dario Kolić and Renco Kolić, and the carriage driver was Milan Jurković. The leader of the spearman today was Sandi Mauric. The Honorary Court was composed of: Danijel Učkar – 2 times winner of the race, in the Honorary Court since 2011 and the President of the Honorary Court since 2015, Marino Broskvar – participant in the first three in 2000, while Kristijan Kancelar was 2 times winner of the Ring Race.

First mentioned in 1696 and revived by the town of Barban in 1976, the Prstenac Race is held every year on the third weekend in August. 

The race features horsemen dressed in Istrian folk costumes, and they must cross a 150 metre track on horseback in 12 seconds and hit the “prstenac” iron ring with a spear.

This tournament has become a must-see cultural event, attracting several thousand visitors each summer.