Hundreds of spectators flock to Blue Lagoon for Dusi finish

Residents and seconders helped cheer on the paddlers at Blue Lagoon.

Hamish Lovemore and Clint Cook with Hank McGregor (middle), who was the MC of the final day of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

HUNDREDS of Durbanites lined the banks of the Umgeni River at Blue Lagoon on Saturday to welcome home the Dusi Canoe Marathon title contenders.

A stage with many unknowns couldn’t curtail the respective title charges of K1 defending champions Andy Birkett and Christie Mackenzie who powered to the men’s and women’s Dusi Canoe Marathon titles on Saturday.

Both started the stage with comfortable leads on Saturday morning and had contrasting days as Birkett meticulously negotiated his way home, while Mackenzie’s two swims were blemishes on an otherwise dominant performance in the women’s race.

“It was very different paddling on the river this year,” uMhlanga resident Mackenzie said. “A lot has changed, and that has brought a number of new challenges, which were exciting to face because I was feeling very strong. It was a big challenge for me in big water because that usually isn’t my forte, but I felt like I handled it as best as I could, and I’m very pleased with the result.”

Mackenzie’s third consecutive women’s K1 crown puts her amongst Dusi royalty with Marlene Lowenstein and Abby Ulansky as the third woman to win three K1 titles consecutively.

The third and final stage of the Dusi Canoe Marathon took paddlers 36km from Msinsi Resort at Inanda Dam to Blue Lagoon and also drew in hundreds of supporters who lined the banks of the Umgeni River.

Christie Mackenzie led from Day 1 of the Dusi Canoe Marathon to make history. Photo: Thuligraphy Images

Inspiring the younger generation, Msawenkosi Mtolo, who finished second in the men’s race, takes some time to chat to some of his young fans at the finish. Photo: Thuligraphy Images

Paul, Helen and Tim Marsh with Stewart Little were among the spectators on the day.

Thabisile, Nozi and Nonkululeko Mkhunya are ready to cheer on the paddlers at Blue Lagoon.

Londiwe Gcwensa, Simphiwe Sima, Nonhle Majola and Thandolwethu Sima.

Micah Soden and Rhys Purves were there to cheer on learners from Epworth College.

Brandon, Alex and Jo Nothling made a family day at the finish of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

The Reeves family, Chloe, Charles and Keegan.

David Evans (middle), who finished third in the men’s race, is congratulated by Tyler Francis and Sacha Armstrong.

Mellisa, Seth and Tapiwa Kubadya had front-row seats to the final day of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley (middle) finished second in the race and was supported by two boys she coaches, Keegan Vogt and Jayden Jansen van Rensburg.

MC of the Dusi Canoe Marathon Hank McGregor chats to Msawenkosi Mtolo who finished second in the men’s race.

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