Birkett and Mackenzie rise to the top on Dusi day one
Dusi Bridge – It was business as usual at the front of both the men’s and women’s races on day one of the 2025 Dusi Canoe Marathon with Andy Birkett and Christie Mackenzie winning their respective stages.
The paddlers were greeted by brilliant conditions on the water as rain was the order of the day for the first part of the race.
Euro Steel teammates Birkett and Mackenzie got to the front of their races and didn’t look back.
Birkett was in a tussle with old-time foe Sbonelo Khwela at the front of the race, a reminder of their epic tussles of the late 2010’s.
The 14-champion Birkett flew off the front early, a tactic that he didn’t pre-plan.
“I had a bit of a calf niggle four weeks before the Dusi so I thought I would do conservatively at the start,” Birkett said. “As soon as we started running, I felt really good with my boat on my shoulder so I thought I should just go for it.
“I got into a really nice rhythm and probably went a little bit harder than I normally do but I felt comfortable and enjoyed it.”
Khwela finished the day 54 seconds behind Birkett and the Sew Eurodrive paddler said that his day was a success.
“I surprised myself when I put in first after the first portage,” Khwela said.
“From there I just paced myself and had Msawe (Mtolo) on my wave and then Andy (Birkett) caught us.
“It was cat and mouse from there and at Geoff’s Road Andy got ahead when I changed my juice and from there, I just paced myself to the finish.”
Mackenzie’s nine-minute advantage at the front of the women’s race was arguably the most impressive performance of the day. Mackenzie dominated on a flawless day of paddling to set up a commanding advantage going into the final two days.
“It was a nice full water level, and I chose to paddle around Cabbage Tree which means I’ll have fresh legs for tomorrow,” Mackenzie said. “I had a clean day today and want another clean day tomorrow.”
The decision to paddle rather than portage the Cabbage Tree section was a spur of the moment choice that has worked for Mackenzie in greater scheme of the race.
“I didn’t plan that at all! My seconds said to me that they think it’s quicker to paddle and while I was paddling around, I thought it probably isn’t faster, but my legs will be fresher for tomorrow’s Ngumeni portage.
“I still think it was the best decision. I’m feeling nice and fresh and ready for tomorrow.”
Nikki Birkett powered home to second in the women’s race on day one with Bridgitte Hartley about a minute-and-a-half behind her heading into the Queen Stage on Friday.
In the age group contests, Sanele Mbanjwa was the fastest Under 23 paddler on day one finishing seventh overall ahead of Menzi Mthembu in second and Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert in third.
In the Under 23 women’s race Emma Hatfield took the day’s honours as she finished fourth overall in the women’s race, while Hana Newlands was the fastest junior women’s paddler finishing sixth in the women’s race on day one.
Shannon Parker-Dennison was the third Under 23 women across the line in seventh in the women’s contest.
From a junior men’s perspective, the Under men’s race will be an exciting showdown with all three of them finishing within a place of each other. Sbonelo Dube leads with Keagan Vogt in second and Siyabonga Ndlovu in third.
Stage two of the Dusi Canoe Marathon will take paddlers 43km from Dusi Bridge to the Msinsi Resport at Inanda Dam.
DUSI CANOE MARATHON RESULTS – DAY ONE
MEN
1. Andy Birkett 01:49:47
2. Sbonelo Khwela 1:50:41
3. Sandile Mtholo 1:52:46
4. Msawenkosi Mtolo 1:52:47
5. Matt Fenn 1:53:17
6. Siyanda Gwamanda 1:53:35
7. Sanele Mbanjwa (U23) 1:56:44
8. Siseko Ntondini 1:56:45
9. Banetse Nkhoesa 1:57:04
10. Bongani Ntinga 1:59:21
11. Alan Houston 1:59:42
12. Thabani Msia 1:59:54
130 Menzi Mthembu (U23) 1:59:55
14. Mpendulo Mthethwa 2:01:52
15. Hlelani Radebe 2:01:53
16. Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert (U23) 2:02:42
17. Jabulani Gwamanda 2:02:58
18. Lindokuhle Maphumulo (U23) 2:03:12
19. Mvelo Ngidi 2:03:25
20. Raymond Radebe 2:03:32
Women
1. Christie Mackenzie 2:13:28
2. Nikki Birkett 2:22:50
3. Bridgitte Hartley 2:24:21
4. Emma Hatfield (U23) 2:31:17
5. Hilary Bruss 2:31:45
6. Hana Newlands (U18) 2:32:13
7. Shannon Parker-Dennison (U23) 2:38:05
8. Holly Smith (U23) 2:41:56
9. Tayla Norton (U18) 2:42:56
10. Keira Hunter (U18) 2:55:22
Under 23 Men
1. Sanele Mbanjwa 1:56:44
2. Menzi Mthembu 1:59:55
3. Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert 2:02:42
Under 23 Women
1. Emma Hatfield 2:31:17
2. Hana Newlands (U18) 2:32:13
3. Shannon Parker-Dennison 2:38:05
Under 18 Men
1. Sbonelo Dube 2:08:21
2. Keegan Vogt 2:08:24
3. Siyabonga Ndlovu 2:08:55
Under 18 Women
1. Hana Newlands 2:32:13
2. Tayla Norton 2:42:56
3. Kiera Hunter 2:55:22