30th Descent of the Sella
Aifter that year’s race, Dionisio de la Huerta—the founder and spirit of the event—declared it would be the last. The reason was a dispute with the Ribadesella Festival Committee, which had decided to hold a novillada (young bullfight) on the same day to boost summer festivities and cover costs thanks to the crowd drawn by the Sella.
However, the bullfight was a complete failure: people wanted canoes, not bulls. The decision caused tensions and disappointment among organizers and fans alike.
That year also brought concern among paddlers: deliberate obstacles appeared along the course, interpreted as the first act of sabotage in the race’s history, raising fears of future incidents.
On the sporting side, victory went to the Danish pair Lund Hansen and Anderssen, who finished first with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 45 seconds, showcasing the increasingly international and competitive nature of the event.
tag: international descent of the river sella 1966
