Birkett stars in big turnout at Dusi seeding races
Multiple MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon champion Andy Birkett showed his good pre-Dusi form when he won the Campbell's to Dusi Bridge race on Saturday.
WITH a month to go until the 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon, paddlers flocked to the Msundusi and Mngeni Rivers this weekend for a back-to-back pair of seeding and qualifying opportunities at the Campbell’s to Dusi Bridge and the 50 Miler.
Saturday’s race that covered the vast majority of the first day of the Dusi took place in some trying conditions with temperatures topping out in the 30’s but the stacked field didn’t disappoint with ten-time Dusi champion Andy Birkett coming out on top.
The race had all the Dusi title hopefuls taking part which gave them the opportunity to gauge their form just a month out from the Dusi.
Euro Steel’s Birkett was made to work hard for his victory and was pushed hard by perennial Dusi podium finisher Thulani Mbanjwa who wrapped up second with his Team MyLife partner Khumbulani Nzimande finishing third.
The ladies race was less of a contest as Euro Steel/Varsity College’s Christie Mackenzie running and paddling her way to a commanding victory and it seemed like she would claim the Dusi favourites tag. She beat Jordan Peek by just over four minutes while Tracey Oellermann finished third.
Sunday’s racing though put paid to Mackenzie being the Dusi favourite as it was Peek who put on a show and won the 50 Miler by a significant margin. She beat Mackenzie by seven minutes which sounds a significant warning to the defending champion.
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Bridgitte Hartley, who didn’t race in the Campbell’s to Dusi Bridge on Saturday, finished third showing that she too is hitting some good form ahead of the Dusi.
Sunday’s 50 Miler took paddlers from Dusi Bridge to just below Mfula Store, a 26km race that included the infamous Ngumeni Hill portage.
The men’s race didn’t feature Birkett which meant there was a chance for someone else to claim victory and it was young Under 23 star David Evans who was too strong for Nzimande – winning by just over two minutes.
Young Michaelhouse boy Jack Edmonds showed his hand and his ability by claiming third position in the race and first Under 18. He finished just ahead of Stewart Little, who is also making a strong charge at the Dusi podium this year.
Thulani Mbanjwa finished down in ninth just behind fellow experienced campaigner Hank McGregor who ended eighth on Sunday to go with his fourth on Saturday.
The Campbell’s to Dusi Bridge saw a big field of 254 boats finish while the 50 Miler had 259 boats cross the finish line, which bodes well for the upcoming Dusi Canoe Marathon with normal entries closing on 1 March.
The 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from 18 to 20 March. Entry details can be found at www.dusi.co.za.
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