Francisco Cubelos gives no chance and gets the spot in K1 1000 to represent Spain for the fifth year in a row

The young paddler from Talavera has been reconfirmed as the great Spanish asset in the star race of sprint canoeing after winning again this morning the national selective trial to set up the teams that will represent Spain in European and World Championships throughout the year. On a rainy and windy day, Cubelos beated Íñigo Peña by just 14 hundredths of a second. The Basque missed another chance to win a trial and avoid another victory (and they already five years in a row over this distance) of the small brother of the Cubelos' family. The surprise was the pull out to Final B of two of the paddlers of the current national K4, Rodrigo Germade and Oscar Carrera, which compromises the crew boats planning for this season.

One of the highlights was the succesful comeback to the top of Teresa Portela, winner in the K1 500 on her return to competition after her maternity, and the great victory in the C1 1000 by André Oliveira, who took no more and no less than 7 seconds on David Cal and more than 9 seconds on the rest of paddlers. On the other hand, Roi Rodríguez is confirmed as a rising star. The young paddler from Kayak Tudense had not enough being third in the K1 1000, ahead of Javier Hernanz (4th), but in the afternoon won with authority in the K1 500 beating Ekaitz Saies and Paco Cubelos.

You can see all the results of the day at this link.

New values Cooper, Arévalo and Toro start to claim a main role at Spanish Sprint trials

Marcus Cooper. Photo: Fotoyos

After the dispute last weekend of national trials and Spanish Cup over 200 and 500 metres, teams that will represent us in the European and World Championships this year are taking shape.

Although we can not speak of being many surprises, it is true that we are gradually witnessing a generational change which is always healthy and invigorating, ensuring a continuity that, well managed, should consolidate our position on the international podiums.

In the K1 200 trial, thrilling duel between Saúl Craviotto and Carlos Arévalo. The latter began with a good start winning the first leg out of three, but the current Olympic medalist reacted forcing the tie in a photo finish second leg. In the third and final leg, and with only Arévalo and Craviotto on the venue, Craviotto won by inches, preserving the spot for the national team in this discipline.

Teresa Portela gets the passport for London 2012. All the results of the Spanish Cup on 200 and 500 metres

Teresa Portela

This weekend was held at Verducido Dam (Galicia, Spain), the last national women’s trials and the Spanish Cup over 200 and 500 metres, so the Spanish Team going to Poznan trying to qualify the last boats for London 2012 is now ready. Teresa Portela, who already qualified the Women K1 200 for the Games at Szeged World Championships, got the final nomination in her distance, so now it’s the third Spanish paddler with the assured passport after David Cal and Alfonso Benavides.

In the 500 metres, Ainara Portela (not a relative of Teresa, by the way), was the winner and got the place for Poznan, leaving out Beatriz Manchón and Zomilla Hegyi, among many others.

In the K2 500, Beatriz Manchón and Jana Smidakova, who already were the defenders of the place, easily won the trial, with a 5 seconds distance over Eva Barrios y Laura Pedruelo. You can check the trials results here.

Then, it was time for the Spanish Cup. Many contestants on all the races with more than 50 paddlers in some of the disciplines and with a very hogh level, having very tight times for the cut off to semifinals.