FNB Dusi stage two drama unfolds behind Birkett and Solms
Paddlers knew that the second stage of the three-day journey was going to be as tough as they get with the 10km stretch along Inanda Dam not providing any favours with water levels being so low.
Msinsi Resort – The 2017 FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon’s venomous stage two tail flicked as drama unfolded behind the unrivalled Andy Birkett and Abby Solms as the race for second place heated up with both the men’s and the women’s race’s podiums receiving a shake up before the finish at Inanda Dam earlier today.
Paddlers knew that the second stage of the three-day journey was going to be as tough as they get with the 10km stretch along Inanda Dam not providing any favours with water levels being so low.
When race leader Euro Steel’s Andy Birkett set off at 6am this morning he had a four minute advantage over Sbonelo Khwela, however the 26 year-old refused to rule out the option that Khwela might make up the deficit.
“I convinced myself at one stage that Sbonelo was right on my tail,” Birkett quipped.
“It was good motivation for me though to get me through but when I got to Nqumeni I was ready to get in my car and go home.
“Worrying about Sbonelo was good for motivation but I was paddling scared all day with these guys chasing me down.”
Birkett’s endeavours through the stage were beyond comprehension as he continued to balloon his advantage and by the time he arrived at the head-waters of Inanda Dam he had a 14 minute lead over Khwela.
“I was tired but I wasn’t stressed because I know that if you stress then you have the chance to make mistakes.
Making up the five minutes between himself and Sbonelo Khwela meant that Euro Steel/Kayak Centre’s Hank McGregor had to knuckle down on the paddling and limit the damage on the Nqumeni portage.
McGregor’s efforts over the 10km stretch on the dam was a testament to his attitude as he hunted down Khwela in front of him and dissolved any advantage that Euro Steel/Red Bull’s Khwela had.
After the second stage it is fair to say that Euro Steel’s Abby Solms has an eye over the Inanda Dam wall to Blue Lagoon and a maiden FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon title.
“It’s comforting to know that I have such a substantial lead and tomorrow I am not under too much pressure,” Solms smiled.
“Tomorrow is a big day with Burma Road and it is going to be hot so racing aside it going to be a hard.”
With the central theme of race twists running like a spine through day two the junior race saw its own twist with Stewart Little taking the lead in the junior race category from Mvelo Ngidi while Christie Mackenzie consolidated her substantial lead in the junior girls age group.
In the under 16 age category, David Evans was in sublime form finishing as the second junior boat over the line while Caitlin Mackenzie was the strongest Under 16 girl on the day and maintains her overall Under 16 lead.
Day three, the final stage of the 2017 FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon is a 36km stage from Msinsi Resort to Blue Lagoon in Durban.
Read more from Day 1 results.
