Sunshine Coast Daily, 21st October 2009
CRAFTY CUSTOMER: Mark Kennedy won his class.
If sailing was a game of chess, the Sunshine Coast’s Mark Kennedy would be a grandmaster. Kennedy, a Mooloolaba club member who lives in Buddina, kept the field at bay to win the Laser Radial plus-45 years sailing category at the World Masters Games in Sydney last week.
An injury-free Kennedy, 49, who tore cartilage in his knee while sailing in Brisbane late last year, won by eight points at the event at the Woollahra Sailing Club. Kennedy won five of the nine races.
A keen sailor all his life, Kennedy only rejoined the competitive side of the sport about 15 months ago because of his children, who both sail. He had his knee operated on in March and took a couple of months off training, before starting strengthening exercises and easing back into his routine. A determined Kennedy cycled three mornings a week and sailed every weekend to ensure his weight was right for the competition. “In my view, the ideal weight for my event is 70 to 75kg and I’m about 73, 74kg now,” he said. “Fitness is paramount for success.”
Back on the Sunshine Coast yesterday, Kennedy said he was thrilled with his gold medal, which was an unexpected surprise. “If I could have finished in the top 10, I was happy, and if I could get on the podium, I would be ecstatic,” he said.
“But to win gold is beyond any of my beliefs and dreams.”