Andy Birkett seals record 16th Dusi crown while Christie Mackenzie bags first K2 honours
Dusi Canoe Marathon
Veteran Andy Birkett (right ) and teammate Matt Fenn take it easy at the finish line after securing back-to-back Dusi K2 titles at Blue Lagoon in Durban on Saturday morning.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
Andy Birkett and Matt Fenn cruised to back-to-back Dusi Canoe Marathon K2 titles on Saturday morning at Blue Lagoon – and record-extending 16th overall win for undisputed Dusi king Birkett – but Christie Mackenzie had to work hard for her first women's doubles title alongside Saskia Hockly.
Sbonelo Khwela and Msawenkosi Mtolo gave the defending men’s champions a stern test over the first two days of the iconic 120km river race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, with the lead frequently changing hands.
Birkett and Fenn eventually broke clear at Isuzu Rock, claiming the second stage by more than six minutes. The Euro Steel duo’s advantage was never seriously under threat on the final day.
Christie Mackenzie and Saskia Hockly won the 2026 Dusi Canoe Marathon women's title after seeing off the challege of Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink.
Image: Graham Daniel
“It’s always a great event to take part in. I love the Dusi and that’s why I keep coming back, because I enjoy it. It was really great racing with Matt,” Birkett said at the finish.
“He’s a really strong athlete, strong runner, strong paddler and a great guy. We get along well and can share some laughs along the way – and that’s why you do it.
“We knew it was going to be a tough race. Sbonelo and Msawe kept us honest over the first two days. As soon as we had a gap they would come past us and we would go past them – cat and mouse for quite a way – which made it really exciting. But we’re happy we managed to keep it together for three days.”
“I get goosebumps thinking about it. He’s done something no one has ever done and it’s so special to be part of that,” Fenn said of Birkett’s achievement.
Msawenkosi Mtolo (front) and Sbonelo Khwela ensured that the eventual winners didn't have things their own way way on the first two days, before evntually settling fro silver.
Image: Anthony Grote/Dusi Canoe Marathon
Plastrading’s Khwela and Mtolo repeated their 2024 result by claiming silver.
“We came into this race knowing how difficult it was going to be,” Khwela said. “We came with the mentality of becoming the first black K2 to win the Dusi, so there was a lot of motivation.
“Second place is not the worst position and we are happy with how we performed over the three days. Msawe steered incredibly well and congratulations to him for all his hard work in the boat.”
Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink had a torrid time on the final stage but recovered well to mount a sprint finish where they finished just short of the win.
Image: Anthony Grote/Dusi Canoe Marathon
The women’s race came down to the final few kilometres after both Mackenzie and Hockly, and eventual runners-up Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink, took swims on the last day.
Ultimately, it was the strength of marathon specialist Mackenzie and Hockley that proved decisive, as they outsprinted Solms and Groenink to the line to claim a maiden K2 victory.
“This is one that has eluded me for a while and Saskia didn’t let me forget that the whole time on the flat water at the end today,” Mackenzie said. “It was awesome having her in my boat. She has been so strong over the past three days and I loved racing with her.
“Saskia and I had to dig really deep. We couldn’t let up once and had to fight all the way to the line.”