Young turk eyes Dusi top 10 finish
Stew Little has been the standout performer in the early summer river races.
WITH the 2019 edition of the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon from 14 to 16 February shaping up for a fascinating showdown, Stew Little, who finished second at last month’s N3TC Drak Challenge, is right at front of the young turks looking to edge onto the podium alongside the established stars.
Turning 20 just after the Dusi, Little has been the standout performer in the early summer river races, and in particular in the pre-Dusi races that require exceptional running form. His performance at the Drak Challenge was also a major warning sign for the rest of the podium hopefuls.
Little shaded former Dusi winner Sbonelo Khwela and a top class field to win the Ibis Point to Mbetjes Store seeding race with a performance that required a tenacious long portage from the Marianni Foley causeway over the Nqumeni Hill portage to set up the victory, and started the chatter about his potential for a Dusi gold medal this season.
The modest Varsity College student has his sights set on a top 10 result, and really wants to try and dominate the U23 race, which is sizing up to be the most competitive class of the entire event. For the team Euro Steel paddler the Dusi is the annual highlight of his athletic calendar.
“I will be training a lot in Underberg with Andrew Houston. Then I am part of Lee McGregor’s MacSquad group in Durban, which is great even if they are not all focussed on the Dusi. My ideal Dusi would be lowish, so that the runs really count. I have never made the top ten, so that would be really great. Dusi is my ultimate race, I would really love to win it someday,” he concluded.
Entry details can be found at www.dusi.co.za.
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