K2 title challengers in deluge of early Dusi entries
A scan of the over 120 entries processed so far also reveals the entry of Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley as a K1 entry.
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.
The crew that has endured more bad luck than any other in recent K2 races, brothers Andrew and Alan Houston, were amongst 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.
A scan of the over 120 entries processed so far also reveals the entry of Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley as a K1 entry.
Hartley, who made history this year by becoming the first female to represent South Africa at the sprint, marathon and surfski world championships in the same year, was quick point out that she isn’t planning to take on the three days and 120km in a single kayak.
While her early entry comes at a discounted rate and put her in line to win Early Bird prizes, her entry is more a statement of intent to post a very strong challenge for the Dusi title that has so far eluded her.
Hartley is in the process of confirming her partner for the women’s K2 race, but felt that getting in an early entry was the start of her dedicated Dusi training programme and the tough running regime that will be required to be competitive in the women’s race.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
