ANDY Birkett (24) further etched his name into the Dusi Canoe Marathon record books on Saturday when he edged out 2013 winner, Lance Kime, and ‘Dusi Darling’, Sbonelo Khwela, in record time en route to clinch a fifth race title.
Given Birkett’s young age the feat was even more impressive, and the Euro Steel ace now joins race legends Peter Peacock, Harry Fisher and Gordy Rowe on five victories. While ‘Dusi King’ Graham Pope-Ellis’ record of 15 titles remains safe for now, Birkett is fast closing in on second on the list, Martin Dreyer, who has won the race seven times (even though it’s not a focus of his).
Birkett became the first person in the 64-year-old race’s history to drop under the eight-hour mark as when crossed the line in 7:55.35, five minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Euro Steel team-mate Kime.
“Today feels like the first time that I have won the Dusi; I am really stoked to be honest. My build-up wasn’t ideal coming into the Dusi but no build-up is, so I am just really happy that I was able to pull it off today. I’m not chasing records, I am not trying to overtake anyone for total number of wins. I just want to take each year as it comes as I really enjoy paddling and the Dusi is such a special race. There is a great build-up, the community really gets together for it and it’s great to be here with a victory,” he said.
Birkett started the day with more than five minutes between himself and Kime; however, with Khwela in third and renowned for his abilities to run with a boat on his shoulder there was little margin for error.
Mistakes were, however, something that Birkett had made very few of throughout the contest, and despite struggling with some tired legs the young champion put in a nearly flawless effort to Blue Lagoon to clinch a memorable victory.
While 2013 winner, Kime, had hoped for another crown, his second place to Birkett was only marginally less satisfying than a victory.
Khwela too had hoped to claim the top step of the podium; however, the Euro Steel/Red Bull competitor – a product of Martin Dreyer’s Computershare Change a Life Academy – had to settle for third, a far more satisfying third than his 2013 result.
The top three performed a touching gesture on the final stage as all three wore black armbands in honour of Heine Jordaan, who sadly passed away during Friday’s second stage.
Laura O’Donoghue claimed an emphatic win in the elite women’s race where she dominated from start to finish and finished ahead of U18 Cana Peek and Jenna Ward.
Having built up a healthy 30-minute lead going into the final day it was a matter of maintenance and consistency for O’Donoghue through the final day, and that was what she produced despite feeling flat throughout the final stage of the three-day epic.
“I'm proud of my result. I really have trained hard over the past few months. I wanted to do well and make this race count. The legs were really tired this morning and I think I also got a bit complacent towards the end and made a few mistakes, which was a bit disappointing, but it doesn’t really matter in the end, I’m here now and I’m really happy. This is the proudest moment of my career. It has been a whole year of build-up, a lot of sacrifice for the whole family, and Natal Canoe Club have really helped me achieve my dreams. I’m really excited to have finally done it,” she said.
More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za
