VLC OLA PRE DUSI NITE RACE – TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2018
PHOTOS on VLC facebook ALBUM HERE
and shared on to Gauteng Canoe Union Facebook
It was no surprise to Gautengers when the storm clouds, thunder and lightning started circling Joburg in the late afternoon – as can be expected always the night of the VLC Pre Dusi Nite Race – without fail!!!
However as always seems to happen, the skies cleared, lightning dissipated and the race started on time, with a clear smooth surface on what can be a very choppy lake!
With around 90 paddlers on the water in K1, K2 and K3’s the lake was busy and the vibe was good as paddlers become quite enthusiastic about the upcoming Dusi, and the end of their hard training programs….
The winners were Loveday Zondi once again with young Thando Ngamlana, in a time of 1:08, while Phineas Zulu with Tom Ngcobo were 2 seconds behind them – the Sowetans are proving their prowess on the run and on the water! Michael and Liam Stewart, the father and son team, from ERK finished in 1:09 minutes, to take the 3rd place finish with Robert Crichton and Alistair Jackson (Dabs) 4th a mere 3 seconds later followed by Kelvin Byres with Michael John Robb (Dabs) 2 seconds later to take 5th position, and Alex Roberts with Shaun Maphanga (Dabs/FLCC) 5 seconds after that in 6th place as first Sub Veteran team – making a good close tight finishing bunch who no doubt enjoyed swopping places during the laps!
But it wasnt finished yet – the 7th finishers were the Under 18 team, a mere 5 seconds behind that bunch – Sowetans – Zanenhlahla Mbala and Wongame Makhasi! a force to be reckoned with quite soon these young men are very committed!
The next bunch was also a tight close finish with Theo Smit and Ronald Pronk (CEN) 1st SGM’s, finishing in 1:10,, followed by the ERK SV dynamic duo – Tommy Booth and Pieter Engelbrecht 1 second later and 2 seconds after them a SOW/DABS team of Benjamin Mntoninthsi with Bambo Fanta – the 2nd Under 18 team!
The first Veterans finished (CEN) in 1:11 – Elton Du Preez and Willem Landman with the first Under 23’s 15 seconds behind them – Sibusiso Chwayi and Lona Magadla (SOW).
The first K1 was Simnikiwe Ntondini, followed by Richard Cele (Sow/VIC) in 1:15:6 and :7 respectively and the first finishing K3 was the Sub Master team of Raoul Goosen, Gavin Coetzer and Ian Hewat (DABS) in 1:17 although the K2 race Sub Master finishers were Dab’s duo – Jason Howell and Chris Carnegi in 1;21.
The first Mixed double finishers from VIC were Helen Jansen van Vuuren with Katiso Hlahlati in 1:21 while the first Master finisher was Anton Nel (VIC) in 1:25.
Mike Howard / ERK was the only Great Grand Master finisher in 1:54!
And that brings us to the end of the official FNB Dusi race training although no doubt paddlers will still dab a bit here and there with a jog / paddle to remain limber before heading down to PMB next week!
We wish them all good luck and will hold the fort in Gauteng in their absence!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
082 857 857 1