Christie Mackenzie took full control of the MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon with a juggernaut individual performance on day one on Thursday, 18 March 2021.
Mackenzie overpowered the rest of the strong elite women’s field on the river and on the portages, to deserve her gaping seven-and-a-half minute lead.
However, she was forced to charge from behind after she capsized at Taxi Rapid while lying third, early on in the race.
“When something like this happens it is so important to keep your wits together and stay in the moment.” – MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon defending champ, Christie Mackenzie
“I just had to pull myself towards myself, and I had a really blissful day from there down,” said the Gauteng based Euro Steel/Varsity College team member.
“My coach told me that the race starts at the Campbell’s Farm portage take-out. Luckily I could see the other girls ahead of me, and managed to catch them on that portage and started to open up the gap.
“I have always felt my running was strong, so I took it easier on the river and then went hard on the runs,” she said, adding that her many months running during the lockdown months had paid handsome dividends.
The women’s Stage One podium was completed by Jordan Peek and Bridgitte Hartley. Euro Steel’s Peek holds a slender 19-second buffer of Team MyLife’s Hartley going into the Queen Stage of the race on Friday.
The 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from 18-20 March 2021. More information can be found at www.dusi.co.za.
Day 1 Results of the 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon, on Thursday, 18 March 2021:
1.Christie Mackenzie 3:15:30
2.Jordan Peek 3:23:05
3.Bridgitte Hartley 3:32:24
4.Jenna Ward 3:35:37
5.Tracey Oellermann 3:36:02
6.Tamkia Gandar 3:39:36
7.Saskia Hockly 3:46:25
8.Cara Waud 3:48:53
9.Nikki Birkett 3:49:05
10.Shannon Parker-Dennison 3:53:08
Photo 1 Caption: Defending champion Christie Mackenzie in action at Mission Rapid on the first day of the 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon on Thursday, 18 March 2021. Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
Photo 2 Caption: SA Canoe Olympian Bridgitte Hartley finished day one a few second beyind Peek, going into the race’s Queen Stage on Friday. Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
Photo 2 Caption: Second-placed Jordan Peek finished the canoe marathon’s opening stage ahead of SA canoe heroine, Bridgitte Hartley. Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan Media
With editing by gsport
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