Coach Victor Kovalenko hoping to be part of best Olympic sailing haul in Tokyo
THEY saved the day for Australia at the London Olympics, held their head high in Rio and now Australian sailors look to have the potential to race off with a record haul in Tokyo.
Other Sports
Don't miss out on the headlines from Other Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- New name, new game for record-breaker in Sydney-Hobart
- Schoolgirl takes break from study and wins ironwoman
- Model surfer survives big wave scare
THEY saved the day for Australia at the London Olympics, held their head high in Rio and now Australian sailors look to have the potential to race off with a record haul in Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Less than three years out from the Games, sailing is tracking well to make another big splash in the Olympic arena.
TOUGH NUT: Liz Wardley survives close call in Volvo Ocean race
SAIL HISTORY: Aussie women riding winds of change
While early days, there are currently five classes showing medal potential with Australia’s best ever performance on the Olympic racetrack the four medals won at the London Olympic where sailing finished as both Australia’s top sport and also the No. 1 sailing nation in the world.
Tasked with coaching one of these medals in Tokyo is veteran Victor Kovalenko, this week celebrating 20 years in Australia after relocating to Sydney from his home in the Ukraine prior to the 2000 Games.
Kovalenko has produced more gold medals than any other Australian coach with his men’s and women’s teams winning golds at both the 2000 Olympics (Tom King/Mark Turnbull, Jenny Armstrong/Belinda Stowell) and 2008 Games (Nathan Wilmot/Mal Page and Elise Rechici/Tessa Parkinson), Mat Belcher and Page winning gold in London and Belcher and Will Ryan a silver in Rio.
HE’S BACK: New skipper for Comanche in Sydney to Hobart
RACE IS ON: Who will be the first player to dunk in the WNBL?
Kovalenko says he has unfinished business in Tokyo as he attempts to transform Belcher and Ryan’s silver into gold at Enoshima, the Olympic sailing venue around 80km south of Tokyo.
“We hope to change the colour of the medal in Tokyo. I would not be still here if we had won gold in Tokyo,’’ Kovalenko said.
STORM BLOW: Australia ends year with one world crown
SON OF A GUN: TJ Hendy wins first major ironman race
“I was 100 per cent sure Rio would be my last (Olympics) but I could not return with silver.’’
Kovalenko says he also want to be part of Australia re-earning the mantle of top Olympic sailing nation.
The long-serving coach says there are five classes with good potential for medals — 470 men, Laser, Nacra 17, Finn and 49er skiffs.
“This is my personal opinion,’’ he said.
DAD ON TRACK: Mat Belcher sails into record books
BULLIED: Layne Beachley's battle to the top
“But I will not say it so loudly now. Things do not always happen as we imagine.’’’
On Friday the crew of Australia II and Kovalenko will be inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame along with five other sailors or sailing teams.