Just over 170 paddlers braved the weather to tackle the first Dusi Canoe Marathon qualifying event, the Kindo Covers Ozzie Gladwin on Sunday.

The race proved that there is a building appetite for the what’s to come with the 2026 Dusi, the 75th edition of the iconic race.

Organisers were forced to shorten the race due to wet conditions at the original finish venue, however the race

It was a strong field of paddlers that gathered for the hit-out on Sunday as many of the Dusi contenders came to the fore with the Mtolo brother producing the performance of the day to win the Ozzie title.

Sandile and Msawenkosi Mtolo managed to edge the pair of Sbonelo Khwela and Bongani Ntinga to the line while Siyanda Gwamanada and Thabani Msia finished in third place just four seconds behind the second place finishers.

Two former Dusi champions in Khumbulani Nzimande and Thulani Mbanjwa teamed up for the race and finished in fourth place overall while South African sprint star Hamish Lovemore and Jeremy Maher rounded out the top five.

On the women’s front it was Christie Mackenzie and Pippa McGregor who were the strongest pair on the day. They finished in 13th position overall and a comfortable two minutes ahead of the second placed women’s crew of Hilary Bruss and Bridgitte Hartley.

Third in the women’s race was the 2024 Dusi championship winning pair of Abby Solms and Jess Behn.

Despite not being a race that takes place on the Dusi Canoe Marathon route, the Ozzie Gladwin incorporates all facets of the Dusi with flat water, portages and rapids which gives paddlers a good early season hit-out in racing conditions.

Paddlers will now shift their focus to the upcoming N3TC Drak Challenge season with the Drak taking place at the end of January.

However, there will another John Oliver Series race on 17 January at the 50 Miler, which should attract another significant field of paddlers eager to test their Dusi skills.