ANDY Birkett and Dave Evans and Abby Solms and Bianca Haw glided into Blue Lagoon as this year’s MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon men’s and women’s champions.

Birkett and Evans won eight and a half minutes ahead of second place finishers, Thulani Mbanjwa and Msawenkosi Mtolo in second.

It was a ninth title in a row, a twelfth overall for Birkett and first for Evans.

Birkett has now won the Dusi title with six different K2 partners.

“I have been really lucky over the years and a lot of things have to line up to do well at the Dusi,” Birkett said. “In the doubles event it is a lot about team work and I think that I have been fortunate enough to gel with the people that I have been racing with. I really felt that Dave and I clicked and combined well together this year.”

The women’s race had the potential to also turn into a tight contest; however Abby Solms and Bianca Haw didn’t put a foot wrong on the third and final stage to paddle home to victory on Saturday.

Jordan Peek and Christie Mackenzie finished second in the race.

“I couldn’t keep my breakfast down which is unlike me, I love a good,” Haw said with a laugh after their win. “They (Peek and Mackenzie) were so strong yesterday coming from behind and everyone was saying the pressure was on.

“Day three is so unpredictable with water and the rapids so it was just about keeping a clear head and once we got into the river we just enjoyed the whole process,” Haw said.

In the age group contests it was Ross Leslie and Hamish Mackenzie who won the men’s U23 category while Cara Waud and Tracey Oellermann were the fastest U23 women’s crew.

Jack Shooter and Josh Simpkins won the Junior men’s race while Jessica Behn and Jenna Goddard were the quickest Junior women’s crew and finished as the second fastest Under 23 crew in the women’s division.