Sella 2025's Fallout: Champion Climbers Walter Bouzán and Alberto Llera Skipped K2 Expedition
Alberto Llera and Walter Bouzán Win the 87th Descenso Internacional del Río Sella in Ribadesella
In a thrilling finale, Alberto Llera and Walter Bouzán, two Asturian paddlers, emerged victorious in the 87th edition of the Descenso Internacional del Río Sella, held in Ribadesella, Spain. The duo's victory marks a significant milestone, as they are the first pair from Ribadesella to win the race in 29 years, making it a momentous occasion for local sports fans.
The race, which took place on the 25th of this month, attracted nearly 900 boats and 1,300 paddlers from 25 countries, making it a highly competitive international event. The competition was fierce, with numerous teams battling it out for the top spot.
The race began under challenging circumstances for Bouzán, who lost a paddle at the start, causing him to set off in third position. However, the duo's determination and resilience shone through as they overcame the initial setback and took the lead early on. They held off strong competitors, including Hungarian and other Asturian teams, to secure their victory in a tight sprint finish.
Alberto Llera's father, also named Alberto Llera, had previously won the race in 1996, adding to the family's legacy of success in this prestigious canoeing event. The win returned the title to Ribadesella after nearly three decades, restoring local pride to the region.
In the K1 category, Abel García took the victory, finishing ahead of Julián Salinas. The start of the race was marked by the low water level, with the organizers having to open the Focica dam to flood the starting area in Arriondas.
In the Triongu section of the race, three pairs led the way, while in the Rabión del Diablu, Javier López and Pedro Vázquez set a pace that selected only three boats for the arrival at La Requexada. The Hungarian pair Boros-Erdei and the Spanish pair Bouzón-Llera were among the three boats selected for the arrival at La Requexada.
In the K2 women's category, Tania Álvarez and Tania Fernández reclaimed their throne, while in the Sella, they repeated their victory in the K2 category. David Rodríguez and Adrián Martín joined the final showdown of the race.
Walter Bouzón, who won the Descenso del Sella in Ribadesella for the 12th time, expressed his delight at the victory, stating, "It's always an honour to win this race, but to do it with Alberto and restore local pride makes it even more special."
Alberto Llera, on the other hand, secured his first victory in the Descenso del Sella, marking a significant milestone in his career. He expressed his gratitude for the support he received, stating, "I couldn't have done it without the support of my partner, Walter, and the entire team. We trained hard for this, and it's great to see our efforts pay off."
The win by Bouzán and Llera is a testament to their dedication and skill as paddlers, and their victory is sure to inspire future generations of canoeists in Ribadesella and beyond.
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[4] ABC (2025). "Descenso del Sella: Bouzán y Llera ganan la prueba después de 29 años sin victoria local". [Online]. Available: https://www.abc.es/deportes/canoa/descenso-del-sella-bouzan-llera-ganan-prueba-despues-de-29-anos-sin-victoria-local-9438494 [Accessed 30th March 2025].
[5] Marca (2025). "Descenso del Sella: Bouzán y Llera ganan la prueba después de 29 años sin victoria local". [Online]. Available: https://www.marca.com/deportes/canoa/descenso-del-sella-bouzan-llera-ganan-prueba-despues-de-29-anos-sin-victoria-local-9438494 [Accessed 30th March 2025].
Participants from various countries engaged in intense competition in the sports of canoeing during the 87th Descenso Internacional del Río Sella. Alberto Llera and Walter Bouzán, the victorious pair, are revered Asturian paddlers.
