Keeping Up with Robyn Kime

When entries opened for The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon from 14 to 16 February 2013, Robyn Kime was quick to signal her intention to defend the women’s K1 title and in the process try and snatch her fourth victory in the three day epic from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

Kime kicked off her Dusi campaign with a win in the Best 4 Healthcare 50 Miler two weekends ago, narrowly edging out Abby Adie. However, Kime admits that she is not at optimum fitness yet, nor does she want to be, as top athletes attempt to carefully plan their training to peak just in time for the three-day race in February.

“I only think of my Dusi training as starting six to eight weeks before the race. Three weeks before the 50 Miler I realised what a big race it was going to be in terms of the competitors and the prize money, and so after a good break after the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon, I put in a couple of weeks emergency training”.

Spectators watched as Abby Adie, who along with her twin sister Alex finished second behind Kime and Abbey Ulansky in The Unlimited Dusi 2012, kicked it up a notch on the 50 Miler, paddling into Blue Lagoon a mere 14 seconds behind Kime.

“Abby is always strong and she never gives up. I was surprised to get away from her so easily across the dam on Day 2 of the 50 Miler, but then was even more surprised how much she caught up at the end. She is strong and makes very few mistakes on the river, so she is definitely going to be someone to watch at Dusi ” said the Dusi Princess.

While Kime is most certainly the paddler to beat next year, she is quick to sing the praises of her fellow competitors.

“Hilary Pitchford has been good for the past few years and she is looking as strong as ever. Jen Theron, on the other hand, will almost certainly be the best paddler on the water and is very tough, so she could very well surprise everyone with a top performance.

“Alex Adie has been away most of this year but she’s back in training and she always performs well on the Dusi. Not to mention some of the U18’s and U23’s coming through the ranks such as Jordan Peek, Bianca Haw, Jenna Ward and Brittany Petersen- they have also been proving increasingly threatening!”

So while the festive season is upon us, the clock is ticking towards another exciting Dusi. Those wanting to challenge Kime for the women’s title are having to shift their training up a gear as it looks set to be a very exciting race.

The Unlimited Dusi starts in Pietermaritzburg on 14 February 2013 and ends in Durban on 16 February 2013. More information can be found at the Dusi website.