KEY POINTS:
Barbara Kendall, with three Olympic medals in her top drawer, has demonstrated she's up for a serious tilt at a fourth in Beijing next year.
The 1992 Olympic champion was one of two New Zealand gold medallists at the prestigious Princess Sofia regatta in Parma, Spain this week,
with fellow board sailor Tom Ashley.
It was Kendall's best result since winning the world title in 2002 and prompted her to confirm it's "full steam ahead" in her quest for more Olympic success.
Kendall won two of her seven races and had five other single-figure placings to finish two points ahead of Frenchwoman Charline Picon in the 66-strong field; Ashley, who won silver at last year's worlds in Italy, was five points ahead of Pole Przemyslaw Miarczynski , with fellow Kiwi Jon Paul Tobin finishing sixth.
Andrew Murdoch bagged a silver in the Laser class and there were a brace of bronzes in the Star and Laser Radial, for Hamish Pepper and David Giles, and Jo Aleh respectively.
Kendall took a break after finishing fifth at the Athens Olympics, during which time her second daughter, Aimee, was born.
"It took a while to get my head and body in line to do the business. It all came together for the regatta in Spain," Kendall said.
"I always knew I'd like to have a go on the new boards, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it, being a bit older, managing children, finances, health, all those things. But all the indicators are in the right place."
The Neil Pryde RSX boards to be used in Beijing differ from the Athens model in having greater sail area, and being shorter and wider. The effect is they are quicker in windy conditions but slower in light air, therefore requiring more strength if there is less breeze to work with.
Kendall, 39, is part of Yachting New Zealand's Olympic squad of nine in whom the sport is channelling the bulk of its resources towards improving results in Beijing after a poor return in Athens.
A large New Zealand team will go to the world championships in Cascais, Portugal, in June-July. It doubles as the first Olympic qualifying regatta where countries can secure spots in Beijing.
From there, the Olympic squad head to the pre-Olympic regatta in Beijing from August 10-25.
Portugal is expected to provide moderate winds, which is not ideal as an Olympic preparation.
Kendall's priority is Portugal, to "get the big tick" as she calls qualifying a New Zealand place in the Olympic fleet.
China will offer the sailors a chance to test themselves in the anticipated Olympic airs.
"China are dominant in the light airs because that's where they train," Kendall said.
"So I can see how far off the pace I am compared to those girls, then we've got a year to work it out."
Kendall, who also won silver in Atlanta in 1996 and bronze at Sydney seven years ago, has a month at home before heading back to Europe.
