64th Descent of the Sella
Over 1,338 paddlers from 13 countries took part, confirming the strong international appeal of this 64th edition of the Descent of the Sella.
For the third consecutive year, the race was decided by the narrowest of margins: just one second separated the winners from their rivals. Once again, the Asturian pair Julio Martínez and Rafael Quevedo claimed victory with a time of 1 h 08 min 38 s, extending their dominance after wins in 1999 and earlier editions.
Their main rivals, Ramón Cerra and Alberto Llera, secured second place in a race that stayed tense and competitive right up to the final sprint. Despite their exceptional effort, they couldn’t dethrone Martínez and Quevedo.
In the K1 category, victory went to Manuel Busto, confirming his reputation as one of the standout solo paddlers of his generation.
Why this edition was historic:
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Third consecutive K2 win for the same team, marking a historic streak in the event.
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Ultra-close finish (1 second) boosting media interest and dramatic appeal.
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High international participation, reflecting the Sella’s global growth and prestige.
What happened in 2001? Click here
tag: international descent of the river sella 2000
