48th Descent of the Sella
The 48th edition of the International Descent of the Sella, held in 1984, gathered 950 paddlers in what was an especially emotional year due to the tribute to Gijón, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vicente Suárez’s 1934 victory, the first Gijón native to win the Sella.
The event combined a festive atmosphere with high-level competition, showcasing a fierce rivalry between two pairs of Asturian brothers who dominated the race: Maxi and Emilio Llamedo, from Arriondas, and the Campos brothers.
The classic route between Arriondas and Ribadesella, spanning just over 20 km, became a thrilling tactical and physical battle. The Llamedo brothers set a strong, steady pace and managed to hold their lead in the final stretch, crossing victoriously under the Ribadesella bridge with only an 8-second margin over their rivals.
This victory was especially celebrated by local fans: the motivation and support of the riverside communities brought the win back to Arriondas, solidifying the Parraguesa pair as icons of Asturian paddling in that era.
Why the 1984 edition is remembered:
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Historic tribute to Gijón for the 1934 victory.
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Intense sibling rivalry between two pairs of brothers.
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Local victory with a close, dramatic sprint finish.
What happened in 1985? Click here
tag: international descent of the river sella 1984
