Whanganui teenager Anika Robinson has a real shot at world glory if she performs to expectations at the New Zealand Long Distance Waka Ama Championships in Auckland this weekend.
The 16-year-old Whanganui City College boarder originally from Poipoi will represent the Whanganui River Outrigger Canoe Club under coach Howard Hyland, a former New Zealand coach.
Robinson has form on the board heading into this weekend's challenge after winning the Plate 250m age group sprint at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Waka Ama Championships at Blue Lakes in Rotorua a few weeks ago.
Robinson will be the youngest in her 16-19-year-old age group (J19) this weekend in a one-off singles open water race over 12km with qualification for the World Long Distance Championships in Australia in August up for grabs.
The event will be hosted by Auckland Region Outrigger Canoe Association (AROCA) at the Landing, Okahu Bay Friday and Saturday with all singles set down for Good Friday.