AS the Early Bird entries for the 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon from 27 to 29 February closed, a significant number of elite stars have put their hands up, signalling an early commitment to the country’s best-known paddling event.
The gradual rehabilitation of the ecological damage done by the 13 August industrial spill into the Baynespruit has not dampened enthusiasm for the Dusi, and despite the race moving several weeks later in the season, confirmed entries to date have given a first sighting of K2 crews with the potential to threaten the podium.
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The crew that has endured more bad luck than any other in recent K2 races, brothers Andrew and Alan Houston, were among the early bird entries received at the race office at Camps Drift, and they have made it clear that they want to avoid the health pitfalls that put paid to their challenges in 2018 and 2016.
Without a doubt, the entry that has set the tongues wagging in the paddling community is the crew of evergreen Dusi veteran Jacques Theron who has sealed the deal with the on-form U23 racer Stu Little for the Dusi.
They grabbed a third in the first major Dusi race of the season at the recent Umpetha Challenge, where the strong running crews always dominate on the portage up to Bishopstowe Hall.
Also among the early Dusi entries is seven-times champion Martin Dreyer, who has entered with his wife Jeannie, after thoroughly enjoying her Dusi debut in last year’s mixed doubles race with her husband. The die-hard adventure sport couple proved they are in good early season form by winning the mixed doubles category in the recent Umpetha Challenge.
A scan of the over 120 entries processed so far also reveals the entry of Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley as a K1 entry.
Her entry is a statement of intent to post a very strong challenge for the Dusi title that has so far eluded her.
Of the women’s K2 crews entered, the most interesting is that of the Shannon Parker-Dennison and Frances Forsythe, who were impressive in winning the women’s title outright at the Umpetha Challenge.
The 2020 Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place for 27 to 29 February 2020. Entry details can be found at www.dusi.co.za.
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