The International Canoe Federation has announced the latest target of its Talent Identification Program (TIP) will be canoe marathon athletes.

The TIP program has been working successfully with several ICF disciplines, including canoe slalom and canoe sprint, and will extend its operations to canoe marathon this year.

The TIP targets athletes from countries where the discipline, in this case marathon, is still new or under-developed.

The program will be based around this year’s Canoe Marathon World Championships in Prado Vila Verde, Portugal from September 6-9, and will include a training camp for one week in the lead-up to the event.

“The principal target of the TIP is to identify and promote talented athletes in canoe marathon who have potential for further improvement, and without the ICF/POR Canoe Federation’s financial support wouldn’t be able participate in the World Championships,” ICF Canoe Marathon committee president, Jorn Cronberg, said.

“It will be a wonderful opportunity for new and developing athletes to learn from the very best, and to hopefully develop new skills which they can take home with them and use to progress to the next level.

“The project provides priority for the men and women kayakers and canoe paddlers from countries which are new to marathon or have not taken part in a marathon world championships before.

“The invited athletes will participate in a training camp and in the U23 or senior World Championships in Portugal on September 6-9, with a coach’s assistance.”

Applications can be sent by the national federations which have not entered the ICF Marathon World Championships before, other than through a previous TIP.

The age limit of the athletes will be 15 to 23 of years. Applications and any queries should be sent to Tim Cornish at cornisht@mweb.co.za before June 30. The camp will be limited to approximately 10 athletes.

Athletes might be invited continuously to the TIP in the coming years in consideration with their progress and cooperation with organisation, coaches, team members and officials.

Expenses (including accommodation, internal transport, boat rental and accreditation fee will be covered or arranged by the POR host organisation. The traveling to Portugal and back to origin city, including any visa costs, must be paid by the participants National Federation.