Andy, Hank are just too strong
DUSI: BIRKETT, MCGREGOR LEAVE FIELD IN THEIR WAKE
Peek sisters clinch comfortable win by over eight minutes.
While the men’s winners were drowning in pressure in their late dash for the line, with pre-race favourites Andy Birkett and Hank McGregor living up to the tag, women’s champions Jordan and Cana Peek were celebrating their impressive triumph before they reached the finish of the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.
With the top four men’s boats entering Saturday’s third and final stage just three seconds apart, Birkett and McGregor broke away in the chase for Blue Lagoon, completing the 124km river race in eight hours, 12 minutes, 22 seconds.
It was Birkett’s eighth Dusi win in nine years, in the K1 and K2 divisions, while world marathon champion McGregor lifted the crown for the third time.
“I’m just so relieved that we managed to pull this one off. That was the goal and we achieved it,” McGregor said.
“When you know it is in the bag it gets really hard because the adrenalin rush wears off, but then you get pumped up when you hear the crowd.
“I am really stoked to get here and pull this off with a close mate and a fantastic partner.”
After slipping off the pace, Carl Folscher and Adrian Boros fought back to grab second place, 64 seconds behind the winners.
Former winner Siboniso Khwela and Siseko Ntondini finished third, three seconds further back, with veteran Ant Stott and Banetse Nkhoesa ending fourth, another 11 seconds adrift.
The Peek sisters, meanwhile, capped off an impressive threeday romp as they coasted to a commanding victory in 9:45:23, more than eight minutes ahead of their nearest opponents.
“My sister turned to me earlier and said that we had won the Dusi but I didn’t really know what she was saying,” said a delighted Cana Peek.
“Considering all of the sacrifices we have made, and having our families so invested in the whole process, it just makes the victory that much sweeter.”