Walter Bouzán and Bertín Llera set to defend Sella River descent title

Veteran paddler Walter Bouzán, 48, the most successful athlete in the history of the International Sella River descent with twelve victories, said the upcoming edition could be his last. He and partner Bertín Llera entered the competition as defending champions and posted the fastest time‑trial ever recorded – 13 minutes 26 seconds – securing the first start slot for Saturday.

The pair will face strong domestic rivals, including Javi López and Pedro Vázquez, who posted the second‑best time, and other seasoned crews such as David Rodríguez Dorado and Adrián Martín. High water levels and a deep field of competitors are expected to make the race highly contested, but Bouzán remains confident about defending the title.

The event, a key fixture in Spanish canoe‑kayak sport, draws significant local interest as the athletes vie for podium positions under the Ribadesella bridge.