The Dusi Media Release

 No: dusi2310

13 Jan 2023

Embargo: None

 Written by: Dave Macleod

Evans into the final stages of Dusi prep

Pietermaritzburg – As KwaZulu-Natal's summer kicks into gear with some sustained warm, dry weather, 2022 Dusi Canoe Marathon champion Dave Evans continues his fine tuning for the K1 showdown on February 16-18.

Evans combined with Andy Birkett to claim the overall title at the 2022 event in a K2, but with the focus shifting to the singles race for 2023, the former Maritzburg College student's focus is exclusively on himself.

A third-place finish in the 2021 K1 race will give the Maties student a lot of confidence going into this year’s race, and the 21-year-old is eager to finalise the details in the weeks leading up to the race.

"I've really enjoyed the final preparations for the race, working on the one percenters and focusing on my process," the Euro Steel star said. "I'm just trying to be the best that I can be for the race, and I really enjoy working on the finer details.

"The Dusi has got so many components to it, so I enjoy making sure that I am as prepared as I possibly can be."

KwaZulu-Natal has been battered by rains throughout the festive period, which has brought river levels right up and kept the water table high. With the recent sustained high temperatures and dry weather, Evans feels that river levels will need to be monitored closely ahead of the race.

"Everyone is sort of on edge to see what will happen with the water level, which will make the race exciting.

"We don't really know what sort of water level we are going to have for the race, so we'll just have to wait and see what the river system does between now and the race."

Fortunately for Evans, he'll be in KwaZulu-Natal for the upcoming Dusi-preparation races, starting with the Lighthouse Designs Ozzie Gladwin this weekend.

The Ozzie Gladwin is the biggest Dusi seeding race, despite the fact that it takes place on a stretch of river that isn't part of the Dusi course. For Evans it's important to get in these pre-Dusi races.

"I am going to be racing all the pre-Dusi races, which will be a good chance for me to see how strong I am against the other top guys," he mentioned.

"The field is looking really strong, and the Under-23 field is looking especially strong, and it's been fun training with some of the guys because we are all good friends."

Entries for the 2023 event are available via the event website – www.dusi.co.za.

END

Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media