33rd Descent of the Sella
A total of 214 canoes took part in the 1969 edition of the International Descent of the Sella, with high expectations resting on local favorites Feliz and Gutiérrez from Arriondas. However, their boat suffered a broken rudder in the early kilometers, forcing them out of contention.
At that point, a green canoe crewed by South Africans Paul Chalupsky and Kelvin Culverwell surged to the front with solid, powerful technique. They secured victory with a time of 1 h 25 min 23 s, ahead of the Norwegian duo T. Wesche and L. Tofte, who finished second.
This international win reinforced the open, competitive spirit of the Sella, cementing its reputation as one of the world’s premier canoeing events.
tag: international descent of the river sella 1969
