Kilcullen paddler Helen Thompson brings home Bronze from Spain

Three paddlers from Kilcullen Canoe Club went to Ribadesella International kayak race in Asturias, northern Spain, where Helen Thompson brought home a bronze in the Womens Veteran K1 category, writes Michael P O'Farrell. Helen's third place is all the more remarkable as this was her first time to race at Ribadesella.

KCC was represented on the 84th Descenso Internacional Del Rio Sella (Ribadesella) by Helen Thompson (womens veteran K1), Jonathan Barry (veteran K1) and Michael O'Farrell (veteran K1). KCC is delighted with our success for such a small team.

The KCC team was part of a 36-strong Irish team at Ribadesella. A former member of KCC, Ronan Foley, was also very successful. He took home Gold in the Mens U23 K1 category.

The Ribadesella is more than just a race, it is a festival built around a canoe race that has been run since 1930.  Around a thousand paddlers line up on the bank on the Sella river and, after a rendition of the Asturian anthem, they run to their kayaks, get on the water and race off together in one big melee which will stay chaotic for the 20 km length of the course.

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