Another successful Dusi for Maritzburg College
It seems that Maritzburg College is synonymous with the Dusi canoe marathon and this past weekend was no different as Old Boys of the Red Black and White, Dusi legend Andy Birkett and the recently matriculated Dave Evans were the overall winners in their K2.
While it is hopefully the first of many Dusi wins for Evans, it was a remarkable ninth consecutive win for Birkett and his 12th in all.
When one considers how the slightest mishap can derail Dusi dreams in a flash… talk about not putting a foot wrong.
The 2022 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon, contested over the past Thursday, Friday and Saturday, featured 9 current Maritzburg College boys as well as the usual posse of Old Boys who have graced this canoe epic with distinction for decades on end.
The Maritzburg College U18 boys did themselves and their school proud.
College grade boy 12 James Goble and his partner Ross Palframan of St Charles College finished 3rd in the U18 doubles section. Maritzburg College’s James Sharpe and Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert ended in 5th place with schoolmates Ross Finnie and Ian Hemingway in 8th spot.
Feature photo caption: The Maritzburg College U18 pair of Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert and James Sharpe finished 5th in the U18 K2 race in this year’s MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon. Photo supplied by Maritzburg College.
College’s Chad Newman and his K2 Dusi partner Gemma Fradd of St Anne’s won the U18 K2 mixed category.
It was a College one-two in the U18 K1 section with Kent Rhodes ahead of Chris Adam.
College Old Boys Jack and David O’Dell finished 14th overall and were the first K2 home in the under-23 age group.
College’s head canoeing coach Bridgitte Hartley finished 3rd in the women’s K2 race alongside her K2 partner Pippa McGregor.
This is what Andy Birkett told SABC News of his and fellow Maritzburg College Old Boy Dave Evans’ Dusi win in their K2: “It’s been another great race. I love racing in this beautiful valley that we’ve got, especially racing with Dave. He was so strong over the last three days. The last three days have been tough, I tell you. The first day was rather tough on me; there was a lot of running, but each day has its own challenges today [Saturday] also hard paddling into the finish but tough racing as always.”
St Anne’s FB file photo: The Maritzburg College and St Anne’s Diocesan College duo of Chad Newman and Gemma Fradd combined beautifully to win the Under-18 K2 Mixed category of the 2022 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon on Saturday.