Local paddlers claim Non-Stop Dusi podium spot

LOCAL paddlers, Sbonelo Khwela and Banetse Nkhoesa, claimed a second place podium finish at the 2020 Garden City Commercials Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon on Friday, behind Mtolo Msawenkosi and Thabani Msiya.

Racing on full rivers in cool weather conditions, the two crews traded places at the front of the race several times. It seemed as if Sbonelo and Banetse had control of the event through the early stages of the race.

“We knew they were the crew to beat if we wanted to win this race. When we saw them emptying their boat at Hippo Rapid, I said to my partner, ‘This is the time to catch them’,” said Mtolo. “They caught us and ran away from us on the second portage on Inanda dam.”

Sbonelo ran their K2 over the Burma Road portage on his own and waited patiently for his cramp-wracked partner to rejoin him while Msawenkosi and Thabani paddled to their first Non-Stop Dusi title.

“We should have paddled around Burma,” said Sbonelo. “We ended up walking almost the whole way over Burma.”

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The stand-out result of the day was when ‘Dusi Duke’ Martin Dreyer and his wife, Jeannie, finished in sixth place overall. They were also the first mixed double crew home.

“I have done a few of these and today was special,” said Martin Dreyer. “The conditions made it a lot more enjoyable than it could be. The water was good. The company was good. Our support crew were out of the top drawer.”

“This was a bucket list event for me,” Jeannie added. “It was just spectacular, from the supporters on the banks, the water, the weather, it was just superb.”

Overall results:
1. Msawenkosi Mtolo/Thabani Msiya (U23) 8:17:15
2. Sbonelo Khwela/Banetse Nkhoesa 8:24:38
3. Jabulani Gwamanda/Mpilo Zondi (U23) 8:29:06

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