66º Descenso del Sella
In the 66th International Descent of the Sella (2002), 820 paddlers from 18 countries took part, reaffirming the event’s status as Spain’s most international and prestigious river race.
That year’s traditional opening speech was delivered by Chechu Rubiera, the renowned Asturian cyclist from the US Postal team and loyal domestique of Lance Armstrong, adding a high-profile and local sporting touch to the start of the celebrations.
On the competitive front, the race witnessed a historic milestone: Julio Martínez achieved his fifth consecutive victory in K2—something never before accomplished in Sella history. While Denmark’s Stend Lund Hansen had also won five times overall, none of his victories were consecutive, making Julio’s achievement truly unique and solidifying his reputation as the undisputed “King of the Sella.”
In K2, victory went to the dominant pairing of Julio Martínez and Manuel Busto, both iconic figures in Spanish canoeing, who set an unrelenting pace over the 20 km course from Arriondas to Ribadesella.
In the K1 category, Alberto Llera secured the win, showcasing his expert command of the river and outstanding physical condition.
The International Descent of the Sella 2002 once again delivered everything the event is famous for: elite-level competition, deep-rooted Asturian tradition, massive enthusiastic crowds, and an electric festival atmosphere, with thousands lining the banks and bridges of the Sella to cheer on the paddlers.
What happened in 2003? Click here
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