Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:11
Kime and Mhlope tipped for top three Dusi finish
After a string of impressive results the young pair of Lance Kime and Kwanda Mhlope recently made significant steps closer to their dream of a podium finish at this year’s The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon.
The rapidly developing Team Best 4 Kayak Centre Under 23 duo has quietly gone about their business, flying somewhat under the radar. However, a spate of top finishes in the build to KZN’s most historic river race have seen them burst onto the scene and are now being tipped for a top three finish.
“There’s still quite a way to go before Dusi so we’re not reading too much into things just yet but it definitely has been really nice to put in some good performances and get the confidence up early,” said Kime.
“It’s always great to do well and it certainly is a positive step for us but I think quite a few guys are still holding their cards quite close to their chest and trying not to give too much away just yet so we’ll just have to wait and see,” he added.
Having attended St. Charles College together and stayed friends ever since, they have spent a lot of time in a boat with one another and have an incredible understanding of each other which bodes well ahead of the gruelling three days of racing.
“When racing in a K2 a lot comes down to how well the paddlers combine in the boat rather than the individual strengths of each person,” said Kime. “Kwanda and I go quite a way back both on and off the river and that has definitely helped us a lot thus far.”
“It normally takes a little while for things to click in a K2 but it’s been incredible at how quickly and easily things have come together for us. It has just felt right from the word go!” he added.
Not only do the pair complement each other superbly but they also have the necessary drive and desire to achieve top accolades, even if slightly modest about their chances come the big event.
“Kwanda (Mhlope) is a phenomenal runner and I back myself on the portages too so this together with some solid paddling hopefully can see us being really competitive at Dusi,” said Kime.
“We’ve been working really hard and even though we’re both still young we’re definitely concentrating on the senior race where we’d be happy with a top five finish,” added Mhlope, who hit the headlines last year with an 11th overall in The Unlimited Dusi and third with Richard Cele in The Unlimited Non-Stop Dusi.
Whilst many focus their attention on the ‘Big Three’ the slight figures of Kime and Mhlope will certainly be a force to be reckoned with and will look to continue their recent good form before putting in their best performance yet come race day in a month’s time.
The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon from Camps Drift, Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon, Durban takes place on 16-18 February 2012. More info can be found at www.dusi.co.za
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