UMHLANGA’S Christie Mackenzie paddled to her maiden N3TC Drak Challenge title on Sunday on the uMzimkhulu River.
Mackenzie powered away unchallenged at the front of the women’s race; she easily navigated the new rapid at the end of the race to finish with more than five minutes over Bridgitte Hartley and Mount Moreland resident Saskia Hockly, completing the stellar women’s podium.
Mackenzie has made some big changes to her training regime and has joined Matt Bouman’s training squad which she credits for her win.
“I think the results of training with Matt [Bouman] are really starting to show. On a personal level, the Drak has been my near-miss race for so long, so I feel very proud to secure my maiden title,” she said. “Having Saskia with me on the podium was also pretty awesome. We are both part of the same training squad, and she is my training buddy, and we motivate each other, and being able to both finish in the top three is a special moment,” she said.
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The Our Lady of Fatima old girl has now turned her attention to the Dusi Canoe Marathon.
Mackenzie is a strong favourite to become only the third woman to wrap up a hat-trick of K1 Dusi Victories.
She won the last two women’s K1 titles in 2019 and 2021 and now stands poised to join Marlene Lowenstein, who won four back-to-back K1 women’s titles between 1987 and 1993, and Abbey Ulansky who won three on-the-trot between 2005 and 2009.
“It has definitely given me added motivation for the Dusi and put my mind at ease knowing I’m on the right track with my training. The Dusi is my favourite race on the paddling calendar, and while I do feel a little bit of pressure, I’m looking forward to the race,” she said.
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In the men’s race, Andy Birkett secured his ninth consecutive title. Durban North resident Colin Simpkins who scrambled into the top 100 overall and in the process finished his 27th Drak, moving him to the top of the Drak Trouts list, while Owen Hemmingway, completed his 26th Drak.
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