Australian Sailing’s 'Medal Maker' awarded Order of Merit

by Cora Zillich on 6 Dec 2014 This week the Australian Sailing Team and Yachting Australia congratulate multiple Olympic and World Champion medal winning head coach Victor Kovalenko, OAM, who was awarded the New South Wales Olympic Council Order of Merit.

Australian Sailing’s 'Medal Maker' Victor Kovalenko OAM was awarded the Order of Merit by the NSWOC Executive for 2014. Kovalenko was presented with the Award for his unyielding commitment and pursuit of excellence in the sport of sailing. His success as a coach is inspirational and was pivotal in London 2012 where the Sailing Team won three Gold Medals and a Silver Medal.

Kovalenko has guided Australians to an amazing 40 international medals and since joining the Australian team in 1997, he has coached the nation's sailors to five Olympic gold medals. His international and Olympic record is without parallel. As many Olympians advise Kovalenko continues to be a role model and mentor for so many sailors.

Kovalenko said 'I am honoured to receive the Award. This Award was not only for me personally but also the sport of sailing and all the coaches and athletes that are preparing from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.' Kovalenko added that he is 'Working hard to bring our country back to fifth position of the Olympic Games Medal Tally in Rio and is proud to say that the Australian Sailing Team is currently number one in the world.'

Kovalenko received the award at the New South Wales Olympic Council (NSWOC) Annual End of Year function at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool attended by New South Wales representatives of sport earlier this week (2 December).

The NSWOC represents the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) in New South Wales.

Australian Sailing is the performance arm of Yachting Australia in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and with support from the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC). The Australian Sailing Team is the national representative team for Olympic and Paralympic class sailing.

The Australian Sailing Squad is the development program of the Australian Sailing Team and provides the pathway from elite youth to Olympic level competition.