54th Descent of the Sella
The 54th International Descent of the Sella, held in 1990, was a landmark edition that further expanded the event’s international appeal. That year, new delegations arrived from Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union, adding prestige and competitive diversity to the race.
A standout among the Soviet team was Alexander Shaparenko, a living legend in canoeing with 4 Olympic gold medals and 6 world titles, who was already residing in Asturias at the time. His participation underscored the event’s stature and drew significant media and public interest.
An unpredictable and thrilling race
Sportingly, fortune did not favor local favorites Antonio Soto “Tom” and Rafael Hernanz “Falu”, who suffered a rudder failure that dashed their chances. This mechanical setback opened the race to other contenders and set up a spectacularly tight finish.
The final stretch turned into a long, intense sprint, where Román Mangas and Toribio Fernández capitalized on their experience from the previous year to secure victory. They crossed the line with a time of 1 h 17 min 57 s, just two seconds ahead of the third-placed team, showcasing the Sella’s trademark competitive drama.
In the K1 category, victory went to Juan Ramón González “Monotos”, further cementing his status as one of the most iconic figures in Sella history with another well-earned win.
Highlights of the 1990 Sella:
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Arrival of new Eastern European teams, boosting international participation.
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Star presence of Alexander Shaparenko, multi-time Olympic and World Champion.
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A dramatic sprint finish with Román Mangas and Toribio Fernández taking the win.
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Another K1 triumph for Juan R. González “Monotos”, a true Sella legend.
tag: international descent of the river sella 1990
