After K1 dominance, Christie Mackenzie eyes long-awaited Dusi doubles crown

Dusi Canoe Marathon K1 queen Christie Mackenzie will line up alongside long-time friend and trusted marathon partner Saskia Hockly at next month’s race feeling she finally has the missing puzzle piece that could bring her that elusive K2 crown.

That belief is backed by form. Back-to-back victories in recent build-up races have propelled the pair to the forefront of the women’s doubles conversation, sending a clear warning to rivals ahead of 75th edition of the gruelling three-day race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

Mackenzie’s dominance in the K1 is well documented, with four consecutive titles to her name, but the K2 crown has remained stubbornly out of reach despite multiple runner-up finishes. In Hockly, however, she feels she has found a partner whose grit, reliability and competitive mindset mirrors her own  – and who could help turn years of near-misses into a long-awaited breakthrough.

“Quite simply, she is incredibly reliable and never gives up,” Mackenzie said. “I really identify with the way she races, gritty, composed and determined, and it mirrors how I approach racing myself. That shared mindset is our biggest strength as a combination.”

The Team Euro Steel pair announced themselves as genuine title contenders by edging Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink by just over 10 seconds at last weekend’s 50 Miler, before backing that up with a commanding win in the Inanda Dam to Durban race the next day. In the latter race, Mackenzie and Hockly finished almost three minutes clear of Solms and Groenink, underlining their growing cohesion and race sharpness.

Those results offer a strong indication of who the challengers will be when paddlers take on KwaZulu-Natal’s most iconic river marathon from February 19-21.

While Hockly does not boast an extensive Dusi résumé, her reputation in marathon and ocean racing is formidable. She has claimed multiple titles and podium finishes around the world, and has enjoyed success with Mackenzie before, most notably when the pair won the 2023 Fish River Canoe Marathon.  

Individually and together they have collected ICF Canoe Marathon World Championship medals, evidence of their pedigree across both K1 and K2 racing.

“If Saskia and I were to win, it would be my first K2 Dusi title,” Mackenzie explained. “I’ve had a number of silver medals over the years, but securing a title alongside a close friend would be extremely special and something I’ve been working towards for a long time.”

With the N3TC Drak Challenge not on the calendar this year, Mackenzie says the focus in the final weeks will be on maximising time in the boat together, sharpening rhythm, communication and efficiency, while also spending time on the river to understand the changing conditions.

Paddlers will get one last chance to test themselves on the Dusi route in race conditions at the Campbells to Dusi Bridge race on February 8 – a final tune-up before Mackenzie launches her long-awaited bid to complete the set.