Javier Hernanz claims his Regional Winter Championship in Asturias (Spain)

Javier López (left) and Javier Hernanz (right). Photo: Anselmo Bernal

Although we have to wait to Seville to see a new duel Llamedo - Hernanz, we could assist to a nice spectacle at the always colourful Asturias Winter Championship, held last Sunday at Trasona Dam. It somewhat reduced version of the championship, as bad weather forecast made the organization cancel all the races scheduled on Saturday, including all the U14 categories, Masters races and the 2,000 meters qualifiers for U16, juniors, U23 and seniors.

Eva Barrios again in a gold medal performance at Spanish Winter Champs

Very high level was seen in Sunday's final of the Senior Women K1, where Eva Barrios gave another example of her great form and won a deserved gold medal in a hotly contested race.

Barrios, in white, on the wash of Contreras. Foto: Fotoyos

After Saturday's 2,000, fifty paddlers started the race and immediately formed a large group ahead with all the favorites for the title. Alternation of several paddlers in the lead, as Laura Pedruelo, Ana Isabel Martinez Contreras or Sanjurjo, but without tightening the race so much that the group had just being diminished. On the wash always seemed comfortable Eva Barrios, who tended not to spend too much force while Ainara Portela looked to have trouble catching the last wave and suffered on the back of the group, which closed the Majorcan Elena Monleón. Further back was a second group whith Mary Soria, Raquel Carbajo, Carla Pérez, Tania María Fernández and Corbera, among others.

The two short laps, in front of the large crowd that filled the banks of the CAR of La Cartuja, accentuated the feeling that Eva Barrios was keeping her bullets for later, while Contreras and Pedruelo were taking turns on the mark. On the second wash were also unknown the intentions of Begoña Lazkano, which seemed to be waiting for her time, while Ana Martinez seemed already be paying the effort after setting the pace all the first lap.