By JULIE ASH
Barbara Kendall would probably laugh out loud if it was ever suggested she really did deserve the title of superwoman.
The champion boardsailor, who is preparing for her fourth Olympics, has a rather different view of her life, describing it as more of a "travelling circus".
The so called "travelling
circus" - consisting of Kendall, her husband and coach Shayne Bright, their daughter Samantha, 2 1/2, and sometimes Kendall's parents - are about to embark on their next journey which will take them to Turkey for next month's world boardsailing championships.
"It will be interesting to see how I go," said Kendall, who, with three Olympic medals, is without doubt one of New Zealand's most successful sportswomen.
"I don't really have that much of an expectation there because for me it is not that important of an event, it doesn't really mean anything ... it is just to see where all the other girls are at."
A number of countries are using the event to decide who will represent them in the class at the Olympics.
It also doubles up as the last chance for those countries who haven't secured an Olympic spot in the class to do so - which basically means there is a lot riding on it for some sailors.
"A lot of people will be peaking so it will be interesting to see how it unfolds," said Kendall.
"That is what it is all about when you get to this level - everyone is a very good sailor and goes pretty fast, the equipment all evens out so it comes down to who peaks, and most of that is mental and physical, so that is quite an ask really."
Unlike many of her competitors and New Zealand team-mates, Kendall wasn't required to trial for the women's Mistral spot, having met Yachting New Zealand's Olympic nomination criteria by finishing second in last year's world championships.
"I didn't have that stress and pressure and I could just go sailing and enjoy it. It is a very, very stressful time because the regatta, in a way, is as cut-throat as the Olympics.
"At least in the Olympics, three people get medals, but in the trials there is only one."
An appeal to the Sports Dispute Tribunal by three sailors in other classes prompts Kendall to suggest that the yachting trials should be part of events overseas where competitors are in a fleet of up to 60 boats rather than five or six.
"That is what most countries do now, they use a couple of international competitions."
Following the world championships in Turkey, Kendall will return home for six weeks before heading to Athens where she will stay until after the Olympics.
"We are renting an apartment just out of Athens for the two months.
"My mum is going to come and look after Samantha during the Olympics as well so it is the travelling circus, really."
Since the arrival of Samantha, Kendall admits her outlook has changed.
"If I don't win I am not so hard on myself like I used to be. If I didn't win, I used to be really upset for three or four days.
"Now I am upset for a day and I get over it and move on. I think having a child makes you a lot more 'well, I have got a lot more things in life than just winning'."
But winning and Kendall seem to go hand in hand. In her first event back after Samantha's birth, Kendall clinched the world title in Thailand in 2002.
"Thailand was always going to be a test event of how I went and to see if I still had that fire in my belly to win. I did ... I think I gave everyone a bit of a fright."
Kendall said her training has changed a lot over the past eight years and recovery has become a lot more important.
"I get a massage once a week, otherwise my body wouldn't hold together. Now when I am tired I don't keep training, I come in, but if I am not tired I'll pump up the volume."
As for retiring - well, that is not something Kendall is even contemplating at the moment.
"I love winning, otherwise I wouldn't do it. I hate it when I get beaten."
Inside track
Name: Barbara Kendall
Born: August 8, 1967
Lives: Whangaparoa
Status: Married to Shayne Bright with daughter Samantha, 2 1/2.
Career highlights:
1992 Olympics: Gold
1996 Olympics: Silver
2000 Olympics: Bronze
1998, 99, 02: World champion.
By JULIE ASH
Barbara Kendall would probably laugh out loud if it was ever suggested she really did deserve the title of superwoman.
The champion boardsailor, who is preparing for her fourth Olympics, has a rather different view of her life, describing it as more of a "travelling circus".
The so called "travelling
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.