INTRODUCTION: Cross-country (XC) skiing requires a wide range of different abilities, which have to be trained systematically. Employing a long-term athlete development plan including talent identification programs is essential for achieving world class performance. The present study proposes a practical approach to regularly assess physical and technical attributes that are characteristic for talented XC skiers. Further it provides useful insights into capabilities of German youth athletes. METHODS: 38 youth XC skiers (? 23 / ? 15, M age = 14.0, SD = 0.3) performed a standardised general motor ability test including anthropometric measurements. Predicted adult height (PAH) was calculated according to Mirwald and subtracted with body height to obtain the current growth status. Skiing technique was captured with two high-speed cameras during an individual distance race and assessed by two experts based on specific movement characteristics. The final score of the German Youth Cup overall ranking 2022 determined the parameter for competition performance. Kendall-Tau-b test was applied to check for statistical correlations between technique, motor abilities, anthropometrics and competition performance. RESULTS: Both technical (t = 0.401, p < 0,001) and general athletic performance (t = 0.431, p < 0.001) correlated significantly with competition performance of boys and girls. The growth status was lower for boys (M = 91.5% of PAH, SD = 3.4) than for girls (M = 97.6% of PAH, SD = 0.8) but no significant correlations between competition performance and growth status could be found. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The quality level of fundamental prerequisites influences the competition performance in youth XC skiing. Training in this age should therefore be varied and focus on skill development rather than race results. Although no correlation between maturity status and competition performance could be proved, the results show crucial individual differences especially for boys. In order to guide the developmental process of youth elite athletes, coaches should regularly identify and evaluate individual strengths and weaknesses by standardised and repeated testing of relevant talent characteristics (Fig.1) and apply the outcomes to adapt their training.
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