The Unlimited Dusi 2011 Media Release

 No: dusi1202

 9 Dec 2011

 
Stott to miss The Unlimited Dusi 2012

Durban – The race for the title in The Unlimited Dusi 2012 has been thrown wide open with the confirmation that popular four times champion Ant Stott will not be on the startline following an Achilles tendon injury that has refused to respond to treatment.

Stott, who was runner up to Andy Birkett in the thrilling final straight sprint finish earlier this year, hurt his Achilles during the SA marathon champs and raced through to the world marathon champs with a painful tendon injury that got progressively worse.

This week a frustrated Stott was forced to abandon all hope of contesting the 2012 K2 title, and confirmed with his intended partner Hank McGregor that he will not be able to partner him in the boat.

“I've had to kiss the Dusi goodbye for 2012 as there is honestly no prospect of recovering in time to be competitive at all,” said Stott.

“It is unbelievably frustrating for me,” he added. “The Achilles is not something you can rest because you use it in just about every movement every day. We have tried everything but it is just not responding. It might get to the stage where I have to look at a moonboot or aircast and crutches to give it a chance to heal.”

Stott said that shelving his plans for The Unlimited Dusi was difficult as the pre-race excitement and running and paddling training was something he looked forward to each summer.

“I have not paddled for three weeks and the Achilles has still not improved, which is doubly frustrating,” said Stott. “Paddling is what I do! I love it, and to have to stop paddling really gets to you after a while.”

Stott first won the Dusi in 1998 with Kelby Murray and went on to add further titles with Martin Dreyer in 2004 and K1 wins in 2007 and 2009.
The Unlimited Dusi takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban on 16-18 February 2012. More info can be found at www.dusi.co.za

ENDS
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The Unlimited Dusi 2012 Logo

 

2011 runner-up Ant Stott, set to partner world marathon champion Hank McGregor at the 2012 The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon, has been forced to abandon all training and preparations and withdraw from the prestigious event due to an Achilles tendon injury that has refused to respond to treatment.

Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
“I have not paddled for three weeks and the Achilles has still not improved, which is doubly frustrating,” said Stott of his injury which has dashed any last hopes the 2011 The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon runner-up had of taking on the 2012 edition of the race.

Kyle Gilham/ Gameplan Media
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