Bouzán and Llera take an exciting and closely contested Descenso del Sella that inaugurated the bridge

The paths of butterfly effects are inscrutable. A decision by a regional government made in May 2023 can lead, three years later, to heartbreak for the favorites competing for victory in the 88th edition of the International Sella Descent.

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Because in May 2023 the government of the Principality of Asturias awarded the contract for the expansion of the Emilio Llamedo bridge in Arriondas, where the race begins.

To build the new bridge it was necessary to place a solid platform in the river to install cranes on it that would place the structure. During the months the platform was there, floods that moved river stones did not follow the normal course, causing stones to accumulate right where the top seeds of the race start – and where the 874 boats with 1,291 paddlers of this edition passed through. The canoeists expressed their concern and the organizing committee resolved the issue by removing the stones.

Above the new construction, the debate was another, almost philosophical: “You know what happens? This bridge will be much better and all you want, but the other one was already there when I started coming and I saw this one almost live as they built it. And it always feels a bit strange to know so many details…”, explained Miguel, a 67-year-old retired salesman.

When from the top of the new bridge the former footballer Santiago Cazorla finished reading the proclamation – clearly showing his skills for hosting great shows and defining the experience as “incredible, what a rush” – the crowd sang the anthem of Asturias and the cannonball gave the start, it was time to find out if the river stones were still there. There were some, but the start of the favorites went off without incident.

The athletes’ concern was more related, of course, to the competition than to the features of the new bridge. The Sella is a race where the start will never give you the victory. But it can take it away from you.

Six boats led most of the race. Walter Bouzán and Alberto Llera launched an attack to break the group a little before the Devil’s rapid, about 8 kilometers from the finish. They found no company for the venture and opted for a practical approach: reserve strength for a finish that promised to be demanding, long, and intense.

A little further on, at the height of Cuevas, the game of pulls began. The first had a clear psychological intention – to send messages to the other boats – then, approaching the Ribadesella estuary, the goal was to wear down the rivals. Bouzán and Llera advanced crouched, knowing their moment was yet to come.

With the tide rising, once past the Llovio bridge the river became a huge marathon track and favored two other pairs joining the fight for victory. The eight boats advanced as if in a choreography. But they were rivals.

Already in the estuary, at the height of La Boticaria island, the race lead changed banks and moved to the right. With the finish line in sight, a very long sprint began. The Riosella native Miguel Llorens and his partner, the Dane Valdemar Jorgensen, set the pace and were very strong.

It had been speculated in the previous days that the increase in the river’s flow – up to 13 centimeters thanks to the water release from the Jocica dam – could favor foreign boats, since a higher flow makes knowledge of the Sella less decisive. But Bouzán, a Riosella native who at 48 years old achieved his 13th victory in the race, understands this river like no one else. When he took the first stroke of his final attack, everything changed. The pair that had kept quiet since their first attack attempt advanced forcefully. As if all along the way they had known the exact moment to add one more gear to win the race. The local champions completed the 20 kilometers in one hour, eight minutes, and 28 seconds. They finished one second ahead of Llorens and Jorgensen, and two ahead of the Hungarians Boros and Erdelyi.

In one hour, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds Amaia Osaba – tenth victory in the Sella – and Llara Tuset finished, champions in women’s k2. In men’s k1, the victory went to Alberto Plaza, who finished in one hour, 14 minutes, and eight seconds. In women’s k1, the win went to the Hungarian Zsofia Czellai, who recorded a time of one hour, 26 minutes, and five seconds.

By the time the winners climbed the podium, the party was starting to spill over the streets of Arriondas and Ribadesella. Civil Guard sources indicate that more than 100,000 people followed the race along the river. In Arriondas, the new Emilio Llamedo bridge rested peacefully. It is now part of the history of the International Sella Descent.

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