Emilio Llamedo starts the 2014 season in victory

Llamedo leading the final sprint. Photo: Paco (Club de Mar de Avilés)

Current Spanish Winter Champion, Emilio "Milin" Llamedo, seems to go on the correct way to renew his title next month in Seville 2014 after his victory last Sunday in the Miguel Ángel Pérez Memorial race, held in Trasona (Asturias) under the organization of Club Náutico Ensidesa. It was on this occasion the 25th anniversary of a race that has always been the unofficial kick out of Asturian season and has already become the second event in number of participants in the region after the Sella Descent.

According to those present, wonderful spring day in the Asturian dam. The big news apart from winners and the results themselves, were the presence of more than 500 paddlers on the water, which speaks of good canoeing health in Asturias apart from the current pressing economic problems. It is gratifying to see that, despite the difficulties, the courage and the will always remain present to jump onto the water .

Over a distance of 4,500 meters (3,000 for women, canoes and children) were competed the different races, with different batches for the U14, after which were gradually
women coming into play, canoeists, U16, masters, juniors, U23 and seniors.

In the women's race, Sheila Sáez (Canoe Valladolid) came to break the hegemony of Grupo Cultura Covadonga in Asturias, sneaking into the second absolute position in a tight sprint won by U18 World Silver medalist Sara Ouzande (GCC), absolute winner as well as in her category.

In C1, David Fernández (Club de Mar) beated the representative of Gorilas de Candás Rafael Menéndez after a duo race for the whole course, taking big advantage on the third paddler. They were the only two under 15 minutes.

Then came the main course. After victories of Francisco Capín (SCD Ribadesella) in U16, Pedro Vázquez (Jaire Aventura-Los Rápidos) in U18 and Juan Oriyes (Club de Mar) in U23, the senior race was played in a huge front bunch where Luis Amado Perez seemed to take the lead in the early stages, with no less than twelve paddlers fighting for the good wash. Llamedo was always well placed and was slowly showing signs of having the race under control. Turn after turn the group was losing units, with Javier López (Club de Mar) and Borja Prieto (GCC) always well placed and Rafael Carril showing his well known suffering spirit to never lose contact at the gorup's back. Finally, in the last 200 meters parallel to the wall of the dam, Llamedo was already leading, palce he didn't lose in a very long sprint where Javier López was second and Borja Prieto came third. Rafael Carril had to settle for a creditable fourth.

You can check all the results at this link.