Birkett and Mackenzie sew up emphatic Dusi titles

Significant for slightly different reasons, Birkett won his record-equalling fifteenth Dusi title while Mackenzie notched up a fourth consecutive K1 crown. 

The races contrasted somewhat with Birkett being put under pressure on day two from runner-up Sbonelo Khwela while Mackenzie dominated proceedings from start to finish. 

Birkett was in two-minds in the build-up to Saturday’s stage and eventually made a bold decision that consolidated his lead. 

“Today I was pretty nervous because there was so much water,” Birkett said. 

“I went and checked out Tops (Needle) yesterday and thought I would have to portage it, but I didn’t have the luxury of portaging it because I would lose almost three minutes.

“Nix, my wife, said I had to shoot it, so I drove back down in the evening and shot it and worked out a nice line for today.”

It was a memorable win for the 34-year-old Euro Steel star who appreciates all the support that he gets in chasing Dusi victories. 

“It’s a huge sacrifice for myself and my family every year and I have huge support. 

“To be able to paddle this race every year is a privilege and I’m very grateful for that and I will be back again next year,” Birkett added. 

Euro Steel’s Mackenzie might not have had it her own way on day three, however she had established such a dominant lead throughout that she was able to recover. 

“It was a great day out on some awesome water again,” Mackenzie said. 

“I had one swim but other than that not a lot of admin, and I am happy to get to the finish in one piece.

“I was super tired today, I felt a lot stronger on day one and two, but I’d worked hard enough to give myself a buffer so I could relax a bit today.

“I took it quite easy through the rapids today, but it was tough coming into the finish with the headwind.”

For SEW Eurodrive’s Sbonelo Khwela it was another strong day on the river. Khwela managed to edge ahead of Matt Fenn at Island rapid and he didn’t look back to claim a famous second. 

It was a first K1 podium for the former K2 champion since 2019 and the 37-year-old showed that he is back to the top of his game. 

“To be able to finish on the podium again shows that I’ve got the genes for the Dusi,” Khwela said with his characteristic smile. 

“I am so happy for myself that I was able to come back this year and finish second. 

“I want to thank my family and my sponsors because they have helped so much in getting me back into this position.”

Matt Fenn had to settle for third overall after the exciting two-day tussle with Khwela. Following his K2 win in 2024, Fenn can add a K1 podium to his Dusi CV. 

In the women’s race the final two podium spots were fairly certain before the day started. It ended with Euro Steel’s Nikki Birkett finishing second and Bridgitte Hartley ending in third. 

It was a first Dusi podium for Birkett who finished eleven minutes ahead of Hartley. 

The Under 23 men’s title was won by Sanele Mbanjwa who finished tenth overall. He beat Lindokuhle Maphumulo, who finished second, and Menzi Mthembu who rounded out the podium. 

Emma Hatfield was the fastest Under 23 woman across the three days of racing with Shannon Parker-Dennison in second. 

In the junior men’s category, Maritzburg College’s Keegan Vogt managed to produce a brilliant Saturday to win the Under 18 category ahead of a talented Siyabonga Ndlovu. 

Sbonelo Dube finished as the third fastest junior over the three stages. 

Hana Newlands proved to be a force in junior paddling when she finished as the fastest junior woman and the fifth fastest overall in the women’s race. 

Second in the junior women’s race went to Tayla Norton while Keira Hunter finished in third. 

For more information visit www.dusi.co.za 

DUSI CANOE MARATHON RESULTS – DAY THREE

Men

1. Andy Birkett 2:25:13 7:12:50

2. Sbonelo Khwela 2:27:20 7:20:31

3. Matt Fenn 2:29:50 7:22:59

4. Siyanda Gwamanda 2:32:34 7:37:55

5. Msawenkosi Mtolo 2:33:36 7:38:56

6. Sandile Mtolo 2:36:54 7:38:58

7. Bongani Ntinga 2:31:51 7:42:49

8. Alan Houston 2:31:52 7:42:53

9. Siseko Ntondini 2:40:07 7:48:52

10. Sanele Mbanjwa (U23) 2:36:25 7:50:46

11. Thabani Msia 2:35:49 7:52:06

12. Lindokuhle Maphumulo (U23) 2:35:50 7:52:08

13. Menzi Mthembu (U23) 2:35:50 7:52:08

14. Raymond Radebe 2:34:27 8:00:19

15. Jacques Theron 2:34:31 8:00:20

16. Josh Glyn-Cuthbert (U23) 2:43:59 8:03:50

17. Mpendulo Mthethwa 2:37:58 8:03:51

18. Banetse Nkhoesa 2:55:06 8:06:05

19. Stewart Little 2:43:56 8:09:04

20. Hlelani Radebe 2:45:27 8:12:12

Women

1. Christie Mackenzie 2:48:42 8:32:25

2. Nix Birkett 2:55:19 8:58:12 

3. Bridgitte Hartley 2:52:07 9:09:30

4. Emma Hatfield (U23) 3:18:37 9:47:27

5. Hana Newlands (U18) 3:16:56 10:00:23

6. Shannon Parker-Dennison (U23) 3:07:37 10:04:52

7. Tayla Norton (U18) 3:21:08 10:35:09

8. Holly Smith (U23) 3:44:25 10:44:05

9. Keira Hunter (U18) 3:40:37 11:31:45 

10. Debra Lewis 3:26:31 11:36:56

Under 23 Men

1. Sanele Mbanjwa 2:36:25 7:50:46

2. Lindokuhle Maphumulo 2:35:50 7:52:08

3. Menzi Mthembu 2:35:50 7:52:08

Under 23 Women

1. Emma Hatfield 3:18:37 9:47:27

2. Hana Newlands (U18) 3:16:56 10:00:23

3. Shannon Parker-Dennison 3:07:37 10:04:52

Under 18 Men

1. Keegan Vogt 2:37:46 8:15:21

2. Siyabonga Ndlovu 2:41:14 8:15:54

3. Sbonelo Dube 2:43:46 8:37:47

Under 18 Women

1. Hana Newlands 3:16:56 10:00:23

2. Tayla Norton 3:21:08 10:35:09

3. Keira Hunter 3:40:37 11:31:45