When he’s talking about his life on the ocean, Victor Kovalenko’s youthful exuberance doesn’t take long to come to the surface: “When you’re sailing it’s like flying. You have wings and you say “I am flying, I AM FLYING” he says.
It’s a passion for sailing and winning that burns just as fiercely now as it did when he began sailing as a 6-year-old in his native Ukraine. The Tokyo Olympics will most likely be his last, and he’s determined to go out as a winner.
“All of my time was completely dedicated to sailing. Day, night, all my thoughts, all my actions were only about sailing and to win.”
Mark Turnbull and Tom King of Australia celebrate after winning gold during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Sydney, Australia. Source: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT
The ‘Medal Maker’
Since taking the reins as coach of the Australian 470 teams in 1997, he’s overseen five Olympic gold medals and one silver. In all, Kovalenko has won 10 Olympic medals, including his stint in charge of the USSR and Ukraine.
Its why he’s earned the nickname: the “Medal Maker.”
When Dateline spoke with Victor earlier this year, he was preparing to add more medals to his incredible Olympic tally at the Tokyo Games, when the pandemic intervened. With training in full swing on Sydney harbour, they were faced with an indefinite pause when the world went into lockdown.
Victor has overseen five Olympic gold medals and one silver. Source: Getty Images Europe
For Victor, who grew up under the presence of the KGB and amid food shortages, he maintained his determination.
A love for Ukraine and Australia
In the first few days after the Tokyo postponement, Victor’s coaching future rested with his star sailors as they weighed-up whether another year of toil wrapped up in training, travel and competition was what they wanted. Their commitment to continue only deepened his strong early connection with Australia.
Sydney has been Victor’s home since 1997 but the love for Australia is matched by that for his homeland, telling Dateline, “My heart is half here and half in Ukraine.”
Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell Australia celebrate after winning gold in the Women's 470 Class Final during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Source: Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT
And it seems that Ukraine is never far from his heart. When wife Tatiana sprang a surprise 70th birthday party for him at their home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches it was Ukrainian friends and food that were the most important things to him.
Tough beginnings
Bountiful offerings of food were something Victor didn’t experience often in his early years back home in Ukraine. Food restrictions were just one issue he and his family had to deal with.
“You were always under the control of the KGB, ” he told Dateline.
Initially introduced to sailing by a family friend, it became clear to Victor quite early on that a successful career in sailing was one way of escaping the restrictions and control of the USSR government.
He completed his compulsory military service, and this saw him continue to excel in sailing. As a result, he was permitted to travel and compete in events around the world representing the USSR.
Victor moved to Sydney alone, supporting his wife and son back in Ukraine. Source: Supplied
But although he became a national champion, it was in 1984 that he suffered his biggest sailing setback. The Soviet boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games ended his dream of competing at an Olympics.
“It was a big mistake because sport is to show to the world the beauty of your country, it’s a fight between athletes and not missiles.”
New Mission
He was devastated by these events and decided the next best thing to competing at an Olympics was to coach at one. Wasting no time, he went on to help the Soviet Union and his native Ukraine to medals in the 1988 and 1996 Games.
The following year Australia invited him to steer its sailing team towards the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He said, “I immediately fell in love with this country, the ocean the wind and the people.“
And three years after taking over, Australia fell in love with him when he guided his men’s and women’s 470 teams to double gold at the Sydney Olympics. For Victor, it made his sacrifices worthwhile.
Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell of Australia celebrate their gold medal during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
He moved to Sydney alone, supporting his wife and son back in Ukraine before they could join him after the Sydney Olympics. The win, he said, “was compensation for everything, to be here three years without my wife, without my son, without my mum, it was three years of hard work.”
Unfinished Business
His current men’s team of Mat Belcher and Will Ryan won silver in Rio but decided to continue in order to go one better and secure the gold medal.
They’re thankful to have Victor guiding them to the ultimate success in Tokyo in 2021.
“Victor really cares for us as athletes and as individuals and I think that’s really special,” Ryan told Dateline. So special, he gave his coach the World Championship gold medal he and Belcher won in 2017 and insisted he keeps it.
It was a moment of giving to the man that has given his life to secure success for his charges. A sign of love and total respect for the quietly spoken Ukrainian who never rests on his laurels.
Victor as a young boy in Ukraine. Source: Supplied
Victor’s longevity and huge success in sailing is down to one simple ingredient: renewal. He treats every day, every training session and every team meeting as if it were his first. He never relies on old techniques or tactics. His secret to success? “Forget about what you were doing yesterday, last year or ten years ago. You have to invent something new to move you forward.”
This year, the Olympic 470 class final was due to be the date of his 70th birthday. A double celebration wasn’t possible with the games postponed, but he's hoping his 71st birthday next year will be alongside Mat Belcher and Will Ryan wearing the gold medal around their necks.
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