Kime will not defend Dusi title

Kime said she had taken up a job at a ski resort in France and would only return to South Africa in May.

“I’ve got a relaxing few months up ahead. Michael (Owen) and I are going to be working a ski season up in France,” Kime said in a statement.

“I start work at a ski resort over there in a few weeks’ time and then I’ll next be back here in South Africa again in May.”

Kime’s absence from next year’s Dusi has opened up the race for a new women’s champ.

Abby Adie would be the firm favourite after she had been playing second fiddle to Kime — on all five occasions of Kime’s victories.

Adie’s nearest rival would be 2014 Canoe Marathon World Champs K2 partner Laura O’Donaghue while another recent adventure racing convert, Hilary Bruss, will also be hoping her fresh outdoor interests will stand her in good stead come next year’s Dusi.

The Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban from February 19 to 21.

– Sapa