Barbara Kendall

Barbara Kendall runner up in Dancing with the Stars

In tonight's final of Dancing with the Stars Barbara didn't win but she was the judges choice on the night and it was only the public vote that tipped the balance. More good publicity for windsurfing too. Well done Barbara!

Olympic gold medallist Tom Ashley recognised in New Years Honours

Olympic gold medallist – board sailor Tom Ashley has been appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). He joins Barbara Kendall who was awarded an MBE 1992 for services to windsurfing.

Win a copy of Barbara Kendalls book

Random House Sports Giveaway! NZLive.com has one Random House Sports Prize Pack to give away to one lucky reader! Pack Includes:

Lucky Legs: What I’ve Learned about Winning and Losing by Steve Gurney
Wind Driven: The Barbara Kendall Story by Wendy Kinney-Kendall
The Great Kiwi Sports Quiz Book by Hamish McDouall

Got to NZLive.com

Wind Driven - The Barbara Kendall Story

'Great achievements involve big risks, and equally big sacrifices,but also,the realistic belief that one can achieve their goals...Passion keeps you on your journey,and works on an intangible level to draw those things towards you.'
Barbara Kendall

Wind Driven - The Barbara Kendall Story

Barbara Kendall is the best known and most successful windsurfer in New Zealand history having competed in her fifth Olympics this year.

It’s incredible that she’s still competing, at top international level, when most of her competitors are in their 20s. It’s a harsh environment, and a gruelling physical challenge. Her years of experience in racing, tactics, knowledge about wind and tide conditions,equipment and board handling skills play a big part in her success.But the most important factor of all is her desire to win.

Barbara and Wendy Kendall radio interview

Barbara and her sister Wendy were interviewed on Radion NZ Nine to Noon today. This is a prelude of a book written by Wendy about Barbara to be launched tomorrow. RadioNZ interview here http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20081106-1129-Barbara_and_Wendy_Ken... or if that doesn't work try here http://www.windsurfingnz.org/downloads/ntn-20081106-1129-Barbara_and_Wen...

Great achievements to be highlighted in Yachting Excellence Awards

Once a year the top echelon of New Zealand sailors are recognised for their achievements with a nomination for the Yachting Excellence Awards. These people, coming from the ranks of Olympic, America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and other great sailing disciplines, have reached the pinnacle of yachting on a national and international level, and join the likes of Sir Peter Blake, Russell Coutts, Mike Sanderson, Barbara Kendall, and Team New Zealand in our sport’s hall of fame.

Tom Ashley's Gold

Tom Ashley won New Zealand’s third gold medal of the Olympics when he sewed up the men’s RS:X men’s sailing gold medal in Qingdao today. Sailing in the vital double-points medal race, Ashley was third, just good enough for him to hold on to first position with 52 points, one ahead of Frenchman Julien Bontemps after a thrilling contest. Third place went to Israel’s Shahar Zubari, who finished with 58 points. Except for a disaster in the 10th race, Ashley was the most consistent sailor of the regatta, recording finishing placings of 4-7-7-1-5-5-3-6-8-32-3. He was able to discard the 32 as a worst placing.

Olympics - RS:X Exciting final medal round

The stage is set for an almighty battle for the men’s windsurfing medals at the 2008 Olympic Games with kiwi Tom Ashley right in the mix. Just one point separates the top three in the men’s RS:X class - France’s Julian Bontemps, Great Britain’s Nick Dempsey and New Zealand’s Tom Ashley going into their medal race set to be sailed tomorrow off Qingdao.

Olympics - RS:X Ashley holds on to 1st but Barbara slips to 7th

The RS:X fleets both added two races today, have now completed nine and will be back on the water for race ten tomorrow ahead of their medal races on Wednesday. Tom Ashley continues to lead the Men’s RS:X class though Nick Dempsey of Great Britain has gained some ground on the kiwi after today’s two races. Ashley returned two more consistent races, finishing 6th and then 8th. Race ten was abandoned late in the afternoon due to a dying breeze and has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Ashley leads on 38 points with Dempsey close behind on 41, while Julien Bontemps of France is third with 42 points. Barbara Kendall was 6th in race eight and then 13th in race nine today which sees her slip slightly to 7th overall. One race remains before the top ten medal race participants are decided in the Women’s RS:X class.