Report XXXVI ICF Ordinary Congress Baku, Azerbaijan 25-26 November 2016 Name of the BOD Member: Function: Jorn CRONBERG, DEN Chair Canoe Marathon 1. Highlights The participation of national teams in World Championships has slowly increased and has over a 7 years period been in the late 30 s approaching the 40 s covering all 5 continents. The number of entries in most classes has increased. We have had nearly 1000 team members entering our championships events in the last years. We have seen new countries taking part in our events or old friends coming back; Turkey, Mozambique, Morocco, Colombia, Japan, Georgia, Latvia, Mexico, Luxembourg and Tajikistan. We have developed 4 competition concepts; (1) World and Continental Championships, (2) World Cups, (3) Games competitions, and (4) the Classic Series concept. We seem to have found a good competition concept for our World Cup. This year we had 22 national teams entering in Portugal. The newly introduced C1 Women struggled a bit the first year, but in 2016 we had good participation and this adds to increasing woman participation in Canoe Marathon. For the coming period our updated CAM Strategic Operation Plan will include a digital strategy plan to promote Canoe Marathon. Canoe Marathon Report Page 1 of 12
2. The Canoe Marathon Committee The following committee members were appointed by the ICF Board of Directors after the 2014 Congress: Ruud HEIJSELAAR, NED Alan LAWS, GBR Stefan GUSTAFSSON, SWE Adriana GNOCCHI, ITA Tim CORNISH, RSA special advisor After not having been able to attend any committee meetings or CAM activities in 2014 and 2015 Adriana Gnocchi withdrew from the committee and was replaced by the Board in December 2015 with José Carlos SOUSA, POR. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding efforts which the members have performed in fulfilling their job on the committee. Their contribution to resolving the many tasks I have challenged them is enormous and only shows their deep commitment for our sport. It is a great team. 3. Meetings and visits 2014-16 Four committee meetings have been held since last Congress: The full annual meeting held in London/GBR on February 6-8, 2015. Calendar and follow up meeting held in Györ/HUN on September 14, 2015 in connection with the World Championships. The full annual meeting held in Pietermaritzburg/RSA on April 10-11, 2016. Calendar and follow up meeting held in Brandenburg/GER on September 15-19, 2016 in connection with the World Championships. Others meetings and tasks in this period: Meeting with the Chinese Canoe Association and the authorities of Shaoxing to discuss a World Championships application and inspect a proposed venue in Shaoxing, China, on November 21-24, 2014. Meeting with the ICF Canoe Sprint Committee in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 26 February 2015 to discuss an idea of having mutual boat weight rules. Examination of ITO candidates in Pontevedra/ESP on May 16, 2015. Seminar for ICF event organisers and officials in Pietermaritzburg/RSA June 5-6, 2015. Meeting with the Polish Canoe Federation and authorities of Wroclaw and Opole and inspection of a proposed venue for the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw and Opole on October 7-8, 2015. Inspection of proposed venues for the 2020 World Championships in Oslo and Baerum/NOR on October 5, 2015. Meeting with the German Canoe Federation and the 2016 World Championships organiser together with Richard Petit from the ICF Office in Brandenburg/GER on March 21, 2016 about the preparations for Sports Presentation at the Championships. Examination of ITO candidates in Pietermaritzburg/RSA on April 9, 2016. Meeting with the 2017 World Championships organiser in Pietermaritzburg/RSA on April 10, 2016 about the preparations for the Championships. Canoe Marathon Report Page 2 of 12
Meeting with a member of the organising committee for the 2016 Brandenburg World Championships in Vila Verde/POR on June 29, 2016 about the preparations for the Championships. Meeting with a delegation from Shaoxing/CHN in Vila Verde/POR on June 29, 2016 about the preparations for the 2017 World Cup and 2019 World Championships. Seminar and examination for ITO candidates in Brandenburg/GER on September 14, 2016. Meeting with the 2017 World Championships organiser in Brandenburg/GER on September 15, 2016 about the preparations for the Championships. Meeting with a representative from Belgium in Brandenburg/GER on September 17, 2016 about the preparations for the 2017 World Cup in Hazewinkel/BEL. Meeting with the Norwegian Canoe Federation and authorities from Baerum/NOR in Brandenburg/GER on September 17, 2016 to discuss the preparations for the 2019 World Cup and 2020 World Championships in Baerum/NOR. Education seminar for event organisers and officials in Shaoxing/CHN on October 20, 2016. Site visit and meeting with the 2017 World Cup and 2019 World Championships organisers in Shaoxing/CHN on October 21-23, 2016. 4. Tasks undertaken Collaboration with ICF event organisers on their preparations. Collaboration with bidding federations concerning the technical aspects of their bid. Doing studies and making analyses concerning the competition program and rules for World Cup, World Championships and the Classic Series. Discussing issues of technical development of our competitions. Working on the improvement of Sports Presentation including the function of the Time Track system. Improving the CAM Competition Operational Requirements document which we use as working contract for our event organisers. Making a presentation document concerning Canoe Marathon as an Olympic discipline as requested by the ICF Commission. Making a program for Canoe Marathon in the 2017 World Games. Working on producing a promotional video for Canoe Marathon. Made regular status on the CAM Strategic Operation Plan. Collaboration with ECA for the preparations and running of the European Championships 2015 in Bohinj, Slovenia, and for 2016 in Pontevedra, Spain. Preparing proposals for rule changes Communicating with the Classic Series organisers about their event including the administration of results, scores and the publishing of these. Canoe Marathon Report Page 3 of 12
5. Issues and Main Points of Report 5.1 THE CAM STRATEGIC OPERATION PLAN A basic issue for the committee is to working in line with the Strategic Operation Plan which the committee produced for 2014-16. Status is as follows: A. COMMITTEE OPERATIONS The committee is working in line with the plan and no adjustment to the plan is currently required. B. DEVELOPMENT OF CAM COMPETITIONS a. Quality of events Based on observations that revealed the need for improving the overall presentation and also the introduction of C1 for women and junior women a new competition time schedule for World Championships was designed. In the process we considered the number of days which would be necessary for doing the many races for both junior, under 23 and the open class in an appropriate way, and it was concluded that we had to have a four-day competition. The new schedule will be introduced in 2017. We have a special focus on Sports Presentation. The use of Time Track is an important part, and we are working intensively to improve the use. To support improvements a manual for CAM has been drafted for use when defining requirements for event organisers, and also check lists for producers/organisers have been created including a time schedule. The CAM Competition Operational Requirements Document which is continuously being improved is an important key tool in our collaboration with organisers. In order to learn better from experience, we have also standardized the evaluation of events for organisers and ITOs. The portage - an element which defines Canoe Marathon b. Help develop Continental Championships The committee has asked the Continental Associations in Asia, Oceania and America to appoint persons who could have an advisory function concerning the development of Canoe Marathon in their continent. This group of persons will be kept informed of the work of the committee and will be invited to take part in discussions related this development area. Europe and Africa is covered by members on the committee. So far Asia and Oceania have appointed such persons, and we are in dialog with the Pan American Canoe Association on how to deal with the issue there knowing that they would like to have ICF events. Canoe Marathon Report Page 4 of 12
c. Develop the Classic Series The intention to introduce the Classic Series was that we believe it is an important offer to those of our paddlers who prefer the traditional Canoe Marathon racing different to the lap course style we are using for World Cup and World Championships. We have experienced that some organisers are not seriously promoting their events, but unfortunately our appeal to them to improve this has not been successful. Adjustments like making results from the series count into the World Ranking was hoped to increase the interest for the series, but we have not been able to make any conclusion yet. The same applies with our intention to have continuous and immediate updating of the ranking table on the ICF website as another important step for increasing the interest due to the lack of fast reporting of results from organisers. The conclusion is that we have not yet been able to break the code for how we can make the series work in a satisfactory way, but we have not given up the hope and will continue our search for the answers. d. Develop the World Cup We have introduced a new World Cup programme having only single classes with the new short distance races as well as the normal distance races. At the 2016 World Cup in Portugal new things were tried out among those a 3-day program, invitation of top paddlers, price money, and venue improvements, things we need to develop more. Both number of national teams and athletes were very high which indicates that we may be on the right track. However, these new ideas should be used and improved for future World Cup events. e. Increase the number of NFs in World Championships We are continuously discussing how to increase the numbers. One challenge is availability of rental boats, and we are looking for ways to overcome such problems. We have approached the sprint committee to see if we could agree some boat weights, but this seems difficult. We are hoping that a closer contact to the Continental Associations may be a step in the right direction as mentioned above. We were pleased to be able to establish a successful TIP project to be carried out in connection with the 2015 World Championships in Hungary. We were not able to repeat the project for 2016, but we are working to make it possible for 2017 in South Africa. Group racing and Wash hanging - other elements which define Canoe Marathon Canoe Marathon Report Page 5 of 12
C. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS a. Improve conditions for ITOs The committee is working in line with the plan and no adjustment to the plan is currently required. b. Education of ITOs We have been working on improving the examination/education of ITOs. Status is that some work has been completed to devise a basic system of both tests on the rules and on a practical basis using mentoring. The new examination includes a seminar having one part with the ICF as organisation and another with rule issues and problem solving scenarios. The new system was successfully introduced at the 2016 World Championships. For already qualified ITOs regular seminars will be held in connection with our major events where relevant race scenarios will be discussed and ITO experience will be shared. 5.2 THE 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GYÖR/HUN It was very exciting to realize that 42 countries from all 5 continents in the World Championships had entered for the World Championships competitions, and even if a few countries pulled out in the last minute the attendance is great. We had nearly 400 entered for Masters and Para Canoe, more than 500 team members in the World Championships which is a new participation record, of which we are very proud. The Hungarian organisers had created a fantastic venue on the bank of river in the centre of the highly sport friendly town of Györ close to Budapest and Vienna in the centre of Europe. Big crowds of spectators followed the races along the river bank and from the grand stand at the start, finish and portage area. Hungarian television transmitted live using 16 cameras along the course, and live streaming made it possible for our followers all over the world to follow the exciting competitions. And exiting it was with fantastic fights all along the course, incredible performances in the portages and with many amazing sprint finishes. You would not have believed that these paddlers had been fighting with each other for hours and then being able to sprint also. What we witnessed in several classes was the very highest level of competition. 13 countries shared the medals with Hungary gathering the major part. 5.3 THE 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BRANDENBURG/GER Basically, the competitions in Brandenburg was of the highest level especially in Men s and Women s kayak classes, and the organisers had organised very good competitions. The venue and its facilities were very good and created an excellent frame for the event. Nearly 800 athletes and team members of 40 countries from all 5 continents were represented in Masters, Para Canoe and the World Championships. 13 countries shared the medals with Hungary gathering the major part. Like the year before fantastic fights were seen in many of the races with unbelievable sprint finishes; Again a proof that ICF Canoe Marathon is displaying the very highest level of competition. Two of our paddlers and multiple World Championships should be highlighted for outstanding performances: Canoe Marathon Report Page 6 of 12
Renata CSAY from Hungary now winner of 18 Gold medals in Canoe Marathon Renata in front seat having just won her 18 th Gold with partner Alexandra BARA Hank McGREGOR from South Africa now winner of 8 Gold medals in Canoe Marathon Renata and Hank are by many considered to be the current SUPER STARS of ICF Canoe Marathon Canoe Marathon Report Page 7 of 12
5.4 WORLD RANKING The ICF Canoe Marathon Rankings are used to determine the best overall performance of all Marathon paddlers in single boats (K1 and C1) during the season, and results from World Championships, World Cups and Classic Series races are included in the calculation. The final result of the Ranking is established at the end of the season that starts and ends with the World Championships. The Rankings are used to determine the first priority list for the places on the starting pontoon for singles events in the next World Championships. 2015 Women s K1 Anna KOZISKOVA /CZE (also 2015 K1 World Champion) 2015 Men s C1 Vaclav DUBSKY /CZE 2015 Men s K1 Andrew BIRKETT /RSA 2016 Women s K1 Kristina BEDEC /SRB Canoe Marathon Report Page 8 of 12
2016 Men s K1 Jose RAMALHO /POR 2016 Men s C1 Manuel Antonio CAMPOS /ESP 2016 Women s C1 Pauline MARTIN /FRA 5.5 CANOE MARATHON AND THE OLYMPIC PROGRAM The committee has been requested by the Olympic Program Commission set up by the Board to make a presentation of how we see Canoe Marathon could possibly be part of the Olympic Program for canoeing taking into account gender equality, diversity, universality and sustainable competition format. The committee made a report with our suggested competition concept, see 4.7.c below. 5.6 CANOE MARATHON AND THE 2017 WORLD GAMES We have tried intensively to have Canoe Marathon as part of the 2017 World Games. At a certain stage an opening seemed to appear, and with the very positive help from the Polish Canoe Federation and their President a technical visit and meetings with local authorities was arranged. The visit was promising for a positive outcome, however at the end it was clear that the ICF had been too late in trying to achieve participation. 5.7 MASTERS COMPETITION We have recently made a web based survey to gather views about the masters competitions. It showed support for staying with the present format and staying with the present distances. The committee realise that there is still potential for improvements of all arrangements for the Masters events, and this will be a future task. Canoe Marathon Report Page 9 of 12
5.8 THE CAM COMPETITION CONCEPTS The Committee is working with a variety of race concepts the meets different interests from our stakeholders. a. THE WORLD AND CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS COMPETITION CONCEPT For World Championships and Continental Championships, the Normal Distance Events are used. The course concept for the Normal Distance Events is a lap course. It will have start, finish and portage at the same place. Distance: The length of each lap is approx. 3.6 km. The number of laps and portages will be according to the table below. There will be an additional last small lap. The distance from the last turn to the finish will be approximately 500m. There will be a portage on each lap except the first. First portage is after appr. 7 km. Distances in brackets are approximate. NUMBER OF LAPS Junior U23 Senior Women Canoe 4 (14km) 5 (19km) Women kayak 5 (19km) 6 (23km) 7 (26km) Men Canoe 5 (19km) 6 (23km) 7 (26km) Men kayak 6 (23km) 7 (26km) 8 (30km) NORMAL DISTANCE Lap length appr. 3.6km Start direction 500m (or reverse) Portage 80-100m Start and finish line b. THE WORLD CUPS COMPETITION CONCEPT World Cup events have Short Distance events on the first 2 days and Normal Distance events on the third day, and only in single boat classes. Course: Distance: 3 laps and 2 portages of a course with a portage producing a total distance of approximate 3.4km with an approximate distance of 500m between the turns. The first portage is after appr. 1 km. Appr. 500m Start direction (or reverse) Lap length appr. 1160m Portage 80-100m Start and finish line Canoe Marathon Report Page 10 of 12
Competition concept: There will be 2 heats provided entries are more than 10 boats, with 10 or less direct final. The first 3 from each heat go through to final automatically plus the 4 next best times from the two heats. c. THE GAMES COMPETITION CONCEPT When we were asked to provide our idea of Canoe Marathon as an Olympic Discipline we developed the following idea: 1. K1 men and K1 women 2. Use the sprint venue 3. Lap course with portages with smaller laps than we normally have (see below) 4. Same distance, 15 km for men and women, which is shorter than we use in World Championships. This will give a competition time around 1 hour. The distance could be even shorter subject to special requirements. 5. 1800m laps (8 laps) 6. Last small lap 600m 7. Portages 750m Start direction 150m Turn length 150m (or reverse) Lap length 1800m 225m Portage 80-100m Finish line Start line For Games like the World Games classes and distance could be adjusted subject to requirements. d. THE CANOE MARATHON CLASSIC COMPETITION CONCEPT Many Canoe Marathon paddlers around the World take part in races of what we call the classic concept. Many of these are A to B races unlike the ICF major events where we use lap courses. The classic races are often much longer than the normal distance races we use in ICF events. The classic race concept is very popular and there are many such races in all continents every year. To meet and honour this interest we have created a World Series of such races with money prizes. The competition concept is still in its early stage and needs improvements, but we believe it is an important offer to many of our stakeholders. We are currently (2016) running the series with races in 3 continents: 23-24 January Drak Challenge Underberg/ South Africa 16 April Waterland Marathon/ Netherlands 23-24 July Crestuma Marathon/ Portugal 6 August Descent of the River Sella/ Spain 13 August Dalsland Canoe Marathon/ Sweden 24 September Liffey Descent/ Ireland 2 October Adige Marathon/ Italy 21-22 October Shaoxing/ China Canoe Marathon Report Page 11 of 12
6. Future Initiatives and Tasks 6.1 A NEW STRATEGIC OPERATION PLAN Future initiatives and tasks for the committee are to a high degree defined in the Strategic Operation Plan covering these issues: Development of committee operations Development of Canoe Marathon competitions Development ITO conditions and performance However, the committee will have to make a plan for the coming period with whatever necessary updates the committee might find appropriate. Two matters which will be included in the new plan have already been briefly discussed on the committee: 1. The need for a digital strategy to promote Canoe Marathon and to communicate information to our stake holders. 2. The idea of looking at our World Cup series and Classic series together with the purpose of creating more interest in taking part in these competition and in general raising their profile. 6.2 THE LONG TERM CALENDAR Our competitions are of course the main objective and result of our work so consequently, working with the event organisers for the preparations and for the running of the events will be a primary task. 2017 World Cup 26-28 May World Cup Proposed dates: 20-22 October (to be confirmed) European Masters Cup European Championships 30 June-2 July Masters World Cup 4-5 September World Championships 7-10 September 2018 World Cup European Masters Cup European Championships 6-8 July Masters World Cup World Championships 7-9 September Hazewinkel /BEL Shaoxing /CHN Vila Nova de Gaia- Crestuma / POR Pietermaritzburg /RSA Open Metkovic /Croatia Prado Vila Verde /POR 7. Recommendations I recommend that the ICF Congress approve the report including the initiatives and tasks described above. Jorn CRONBERG Member Board of Directors / Chair Canoe Marathon Committee Canoe Marathon Report Page 12 of 12