Former Olympian Shaun Rubenstein (front, pictured with Steve Farrell) has been tipped as one to watch in the 2013 The Unlimited Dusi. Photo: Dave Macleod/Gameplan Media
With less than 24 hours to go to the start of the 2013 The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, top paddlers are tipping Shaun Rubenstein as a dark horse for the podium.
Rubenstein won the race convincingly as a junior and returned from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to claim an unexpected third place in a K1 in 2009.
Now, married and settled in Cape Town, the Kayak Racing star has been concentrating his efforts on his mountain, surfski and trail running as he prepares for the Absa Cape Epic later on in the year.
“Watch out for Ruby!” said his friend and business partner Thulani Mbanjwa, himself tipped by many to battle it out for this year’s title.
“We all know he’s a great paddler but we were shocked to see him catch up and overtake all the top guys running up Guinea Fowl portage in one of the pre-Dusi races a couple of weeks ago.”
Mbanjwa’s view was backed up by four time Dusi winner Ant Stott. “Ruby came third in 2009 coming off a sprint base and carrying an ankle injury. That says a lot for you. He has a heart of a lion!
“Andy Birkett has single handedly changed this race and you can’t go into this race hoping to be competitive just being a strong paddler anymore. Shaun (Rubenstein) has done plenty of work on his legs on the bike and trail running recently and he is definitely my prediction to come second behind Andy.”
Rubenstein’s advantage is that he is under no pressure – conditions under which he thrives.
As a schoolboy Rubenstein was taken under the wing of Dusi King Graeme Pope-Ellis and was taught the art of racing on the Dusi.
