Birkett opens large gap
Defending marathon champion happy with performance in opening stage from Camps Drift to Dusi Bridge
Three-time defending champion Andy Birkett blew the field away in the opening stage of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, covering the 42km trek from Camps Drift to Dusi Bridge in 2hr 40min 44sec, giving the six-time champion a more than five-minute lead over second man home Sbonelo Khwela. Eight-time world canoe marathon champion Hank McGregor had to make do with third spot after a blunder an hour in at Musson’s Weir. The Euro Steel-Kajak Centre Ace, who won the K1 title in 2005, is more than 10 minutes off the pace. Euro Steel’s Birkett was in a hurry to stamp his class on the three-day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. He and Khwela opened up a gap over the chasers at the opening portage of the day at Campbell’s Farm and at the put-in at Geoff’s Road. At the end of the Guinea Fowl portage Birkett had gained a 20-second advantage and never looked back. "I couldn’t have asked for a better day at the office. Being the defending champion brings added pressure and I’m just happy with the wa...
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