Birkett, Mackenzie tighten their grips on the Dusi titles

Pre-race favourites Andy Birkett and Christie Mackenzie have tightened their grips on the men's and women's titles at the 2023 Dusi Canoe Marathon.  

With an extra portage to negotiate on Friday, the second stage of the Dusi was a make-or-break day for many title contenders, with big water as well as a long flatwater stretch on Inanda Dam to deal with.

Even for an eighteen-time Dusi finisher like Birkett, there was something new to experience.

“I’ve never paddled day two with this much water,” Birkett said. 

“After the start, there was one compulsory portage at the confluence of the Mngeni and Msundusi Rivers for about two-and-a-half kilometres, which changed my race plan from previous years.

“Usually, I would start flat-out on day two, but I was more conservative in my approach because I knew that with a long portage like that, it can make you tired towards the end of the stage.

“I wanted to be fresh by the time we got to the big rapids because when you are tired, you make mistakes.”

Msawenkosi Mtolo, who finished second behind Birkett, made a bold charge early in the stage to make up the minute gap that Birkett held overnight.

The pair traded blows throughout the first half of the stage before the Nqumeni portage, where Birkett got a slight gap on the Team MyLife star.

From there, Mtolo tried to push the pace, which resulted in a mistake at Hippo Rapid, where he fell out of his boat and gave Birkett a further advantage as he powered his way ahead and opened up a significant gap on the Inanda Dam stretch.

Ultimately Birkett’s lead grew to over seven minutes by the end of the stage as Birkett consciously made an effort to put in a charge when he hit the flat water.

Mackenzie continues to dominate the women's race, with her lead