Loveday good for Duzi

The paddling world was shocked in December when one of South Africa’s top paddlers, tipped to be on the podium again in the 2007 edition of the Hansa Powerade Dusi, was assaulted in his home in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KZN.

Loveday Zondi was assaulted by a man who threw a rock at him resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Doctors at the time were of the opinion that the injury would put paid to his chances of competing, let alone winning, the Dusi which takes place on January 18, 19 and 20.

All doubts were allayed when Zondi put in a record performance at the weekly Umzinyathi time trial at Shongweni dam yesterday.

Canoeing pundits who watched the amazing performance were stunned that anyone could break world canoe marathon champion, and multiple winner of the Dusi, Hank McGregors best time.

“My sponsors, Kayak Centre, delivered my new boat and wanted to see me test it. I didn’t know the way and followed Kevin White on the first lap. It was only on the second lap that I really went for it – the boat and I clicked immediately” said a visibly excited Zondi.

Zondi took over a minute off McGregors time and no-one was more surprised than Zondi himself.

“It was only 5 weeks ago that I thought that I wouldn’t be taking part in the Dusi, now I am feeling confident especially after beating Hank’s time” said the top black Dusi finisher of all time when he placed 3^rd 2 years ago.

The question that canoeists were asking this morning was – can this be the year that a black paddler wins the Dusi for the first time. Hansa Powerade Dusi chairman, Cameron Mackenzie certainly believes that it could well be that 2007 sees the end of white domination of the Dusi

“I have watched in amazement over the last few years how well the development initiatives are going. Seven years ago there was not a black paddler in the top 50 and 2 years ago we witnessed and unbelievable 3^rd place finish by Zondi. I really think he has got it and there is huge support for him to do in a little over two weeks time”.

Due to lots of rain in the past few weeks, late entries are flooding in at www.dusi.co.za as paddlers revel in the full rivers during training sessions.

The Hansa Powerade Dusi takes place on January 18, 19 and 20 from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.