Passing the harness: The Olympian, the rookie and a special piece of equipment

After years of use at World Championships and Olympic Games, three-time Olympic medallist and five-time Olympian, Barbara Kendall, could easily have retired it and tucked it away in a gear shed somewhere. 

Instead, she handed it to 14-year-old Honor Fyfe. 

Kendall had held onto the harness for years. Not because it was rare or valuable, but perhaps deep down she was hoping it would have another life.  

It’s a piece of equipment athletes struggle to replace once they've found the right fit. It had travelled with her for multiple campaigns and survived years on the water. 

When Honor Fyfe was confirmed as heading to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Kendall knew exactly who should have it. 

"It's almost falling to pieces… but it works well," Fyfe laughed. 

"She's worn it at her World Champs and a couple of Olympic Games. So lots of history in there," she said. 

The passing of the harness feels fitting because for much of the past year, Kendall’s been passing on much more than equipment. 

Before Olympic gold in Barcelona 1992 and adding silver and bronze medals at subsequent Games, Kendall was a young sailor learning the ropes from her Olympic gold medallist brother, Bruce Kendall. Years later, she finds herself helping another talented teenager navigate the early stages of an Olympic journey.  

"I remember the place she's at because I remember my brother fast-tracked me," Kendall said. 

With windsurfing confirmed on the Dakar 2026 programme, Kendall immediately recognised the chance it presented for a young New Zealand sailor. 

Once New Zealand secured a place, Fyfe’s learning curve accelerated quickly. 

Equipment was sourced from around the country and Kendall developed a hands-on coaching approach, often heading onto the water herself with radios so she could talk Fyfe through techniques in real-time. 

Their first major international test came in Poland. 

"She got her ass kicked," Kendall said with a smile. 

"But it was really good for her to just go and compete. She's so gutsy, she doesn't get put off. She has an amazing disposition with how she approaches challenges and never gets dramatic. She just takes everything in her stride." 

It is a quality Kendall has seen repeatedly throughout Fyfe’s development. 

Fyfe has pushed through injuries, difficult racing conditions and the steep learning curve that comes with competing internationally at a young age. 

"She is so fit and strong. It is remarkable to have a 14-year-old that is so fit and strong - you don't find girls like her very often," said Kendall. 

That determination is easy to spot when Fyfe talks about being on the water and her face lights up describing the feeling of foiling at speed. 

"When you're first getting up, it's like a plane. You've got to slowly lift up. Then once you're up and away, it's insane. It's like hitting 20 or 25 knots. It's super-fast and fun," said Fyfe. 

She also admits she enjoys the challenge when conditions get wild, like at a recent regatta racing in winds of up to 30 knots. 

"We've been working on that since April; the reality of what she's going into and making sure we're keeping things completely fun and light and just a wild, cool learning experience," said Kendall. 

The pair recently travelled together to Malaysia, giving them a valuable preview of what life on the road might look like at the Games. 

Initially, Kendall wondered how travelling abroad with a teenager might work, but her concerns disappeared almost immediately. 

"As soon as she put her playlist on while we were rigging up, I went, 'Oh my God, this is all the songs that my daughters play'."  

"I knew we were going to be fine." 

Their connection continues to develop as training progresses. 

"She's like my third daughter. She's a fast learner and she's hungry to keep developing. She's funny and it's been such a delight and a privilege to be her coach," said Kendall. 

Meanwhile it’s Fyfe’s actual family who have been making significant sacrifices to help her pursue her sporting ambitions. 

Originally from Blenheim, the family relocated north after recognising the opportunities available around Auckland's sailing community. It was a move that changed the game. 

"To get to the water from my house it's probably about a 50-metre walk," said Fyfe. 

"I can just rig up and walk my gear down to the beach and go." 

The move also brought her closer to Kendall and the supportive sailing culture on her doorstep. 

"There’s a really cool vibe and culture at Manly Sailing Club, everyone supports each other, it's like a big family." said Kendall. 

That sense of community is something Fyfe is continuing to discover as she progresses through the sport. 

"It's an amazing opportunity and a privilege to represent New Zealand on a world stage like that." 

For now, the focus remains on training camps, long days on the water and soaking up everything she can from one of New Zealand's greats. 

Looking further ahead, Fyfe already has another dream taking shape. 

"I'd like to go to the Olympics one day, possibly Brisbane 2032, I think it's a good goal to have,” she said. 

Perhaps that's why the old harness feels like such a fitting symbol. 

It has travelled to Olympic Games before. It has experienced the highs and lows of elite sport. It has been carried by one generation and handed to the next. 

Now that harness is heading to Dakar 2026 with a young athlete chasing her own dreams.  

And while it may be worn, the journey it represents is only just getting started.