YNOT EUROPE – In the latest edition of the AVN Awards nominations, two Spanish performers appear on the list for the highest accolade that can be achieved in the adult industry: Rebeca Linares, for a threesome scene, and Toni Ribas, as best foreign actor. The two are among the few in Spain to be nominated.

In previous years, the Spanish presence was notable, but this year Spain’s industry is much less visible. Marco Banderas, Nacho Vidal and Linares had become regular competitors in several categories. The 2011 nominations do not indicate the performers’ prominence.

At the product level, only three items of Spanish origin appear in the endless list of candidates. Whore House is anecdotal and almost the only appearance of Nacho Vidal. High Heels and glasses is the work of the Spanish company Interselección, whose manager, Alex Romero, marketed the work in Spain under the title Viciosas con gafas y tacones altos.

Finally, Sex Barcelona Style was directed by Ribas, undoubtedly been the most favored Hispanic representative in 2011.

Ribas, usually rolling between Los Angeles and Europe, also is nominated as best foreign player and for several scenes of all kinds (anal, DP and group), in addition to securing a nomination in the category of best foreign production scene. He shares the spotlight with Joha, a Spanish-Colombian, who after an initial tour in Budapest, during the last year has become one of the sensations of the domestic industry.

Banderas and Linares, the primary Spanish representatives in recent years with quite a few nominations, have seen their names this time, limited to a few scenes. None of the nominations placed them into the running for individual awards. Carrying that banner is Ramon Nomar, who after a prolific recording stage for Reality Kings, found himself nominated for an American award, Unsung Male Performer.

In short, the AVN Awards this time have not resulted in a very large crop of nominations for Spanish representatives, who may have to wait until next year to repeat the success they saw in 2010.