Graeme Pope-Ellis
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Dusi King, Pope |
| Nationality | South African |
| Born | 1948 Bishopstowe, South Africa |
| Died | 17 June 2010 (aged 61–62) Bishopstowe, South Africa |
| Education | Alexandra High School |
| Occupation(s) | Canoeist, Farmer, Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1965 - 2010 |
Graeme "Pope" Pope-Ellis (born 26 July 1947 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, died 17 June 2010) was a South African canoeist best known for his 46 consecutive year Dusi Canoe Marathon career, having won the race a record 15 times.[1]
Pope-Ellis grew up along the banks of the Msunduzi River on a farm in Ashburton, just outside Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He attended Alexandra High School in Pietermaritzburg and completed his first Dusi in 1965, aged 17.
Dusi career
Pope-Ellis completed the Dusi Canoe Marathon, arguably the world's most prestigious canoe race,[2] 46 consecutive times between 1965 and 2010. He also hold the record for having won the race 15 times. Pope-Ellis has become synonymous with the race and has been affectionately named the "Dusi King".[1] Pope-Ellis won his first Dusi in 1972 with K2 partner Eric Clarke and became the first person to win the Dusi in a single canoe in 1981.[3] Between 1970 and 1990 he won a total of three Dusis with Clarke, four with Tim Cornish, five with Peter Peacock and three K1 victories. Furthermore during this period only once, in 1979, did Pope-Ellis fail to either win or take second position.