Kendall looks to new future

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 30

Kendall looks to new future

PA Pusan The Olympic board sailing champion, Bruce Kendall, was unconcerned to finish out of the places in the last race of the regatta yesterday, his thoughts turning to a new future on the professional board sailing circuit. With the gold medal already in the bag on Monday evening after six races, he was too relaxed to go well on the water. “I wanted to try to win but I wasn’t concentrating as hard as I should on the first beat,” he said of his ninth placing. “Who cares? I like doing races where it doesn’t matter.” The 24-year-old Aucklander says the full force of his victory has finally hit him. “Yesterday I wasn’t sure. Today I know nobody can take it away from me. It’s a good feeling.” Kendall was disappointed with his 1984 bronze medal performance, believing he could have won if not for a disastrous fourth-race disqualification. “People said that result was a oncer. This time it’s confirming a solid performance.” Even before he sailed yesterday’s race, Kendall was on the phone to his father, Tony, in Auckland chasing a major New Zealand backer. He is hoping for a dual package for himself and sister Barbara — No. 5 on the world professional circuit this year — whom he plans to join on the road next year. Kendall has had a small sponsorship deal with an Australian manufacturer, Mombura Sailboards, which has given him “enough to eat” but no more. Now he wants someone behind him to help pay the important bills. In open class racing — slalom, wave riding and jumping — the competitor with the latest equipment is often the fastest.