38th Descent of the Sella
The 38th International Descent of the Sella in 1974 was marked by changes and anecdotes that would become part of its lore. It was the third edition without Dionisio de la Huerta, the charismatic founder of the race, and notably the first without the traditional starting cannon. That historic cannon had exploded during local festivities in Arriondas earlier that year and was never used again. Today, it stands as a monument in the main square of Arriondas.
On the sporting side, the race delivered plenty of drama. The leading pair from Avilés, known as “Fofó” and José Ramón, set a strong pace for much of the course. However, they were eventually caught and pressured by the team from Pravia, J. L. García and L. A. Álvarez, who claimed victory after the Avilés duo dropped out. Their final time was 1h 24min 04sec.
A special mention goes to the impressive second place achieved by another very young pair from Pravia: Emilio Carou and José L. Álvarez, aged only 15 and 16. Their performance underscored Pravia’s reputation as one of Asturias’ great nurseries of paddling talent.
As always, the event drew thousands of spectators along the banks from Arriondas to Ribadesella. The Fluvial Train was packed with fans, proving that even without the iconic cannon shot, the Sella spirit remained as strong and festive as ever.
tag: international descent of the river sella 1974
