The Medal Maker

Book excerpt: Victor Kovalenko, who's teams have won more Olympic medals in sailing than those of any other sailing coach in history, grew up in the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 60s. The Medal Maker tracks his development from top sportsman in the Soviet Union to his initial Olympic success as a sailing coach of the Ukrainian team. But Victor's innate curiosity and broad philosophical outlook clashed with post-Soviet, Ukrainian politics. When Australia beckoned, he was ready. He turned what appeared to be a mission impossible into double gold at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. At the time he was dubbed The Medal Maker. The name has stuck with good reason. To date, in eight Olympic Games, Victor's team have amassed ten Olympic medals, six of them gold.