One of the most talented windsurfers in Greece today is the least likely to talk about himself. Byron Kokkalanis (photo), 27, a native of Varkiza, southeastern Attica, has placed among the top ten in competitions ranging from the Athens Eurolymp Week - where he's come in first for five years out of the last six years - to world championships.
His latest was second place in this year's European Championship, a rank he has kept in this race since 2010.
In a tough sport with more unpredictable conditions than boatsailing, Kokkalanis is heading for the London Olympics with gold on his mind. The goal would have seemed arrogant had he not fallen just a single point short of defeating Olympic medallist - and his childhood hero - Nikos Kaklamanakis during the qualifiers for Beijing 2008.
"Whenever you compete against athletes who have served as your role models since your childhood, you have a secret desire to beat them, to become better than your own teachers. I came close, but didn't make it," Kokkalanis says, looking back at one of his most memorable letdowns.
"It was a pity from the point of view that I was at the ideal age to have my first Olympic expierience," he adds.
Currently ranked by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) as one of the top five windsurf athletes in the world, Kokkalanis has kept a low profile but a high competitive spirit. As one commentator marvelled when describing this year's challenging and windy world championships, "Kokkalanis never gives up."
In his own words, "When I lost the qualification in 2008, I got stubborn and told myself I would train as hard as was necessary to represent Greece in London. After a lot of travel and endless training hours, I can say I made it past the qualifiers easily."
Kokkalanis started training at 13 with coach Dimitris Pilichos, who remains his trainer, on Mistrals, at the Vari-Varkiza Yacht Club. In 2004, he switched to the RS:X sailboard class. Both were Olympic classes. His first competition was the 1999 ISAF youth championships, and the first event he won was the following year, the Mistral Junior World Championship.
Asked to comment about the ISAF proposal to replace windsurfing on a sailboard with kite surfing, Kokkalanis says the decision took people by surprise, but the RS:X athletes can add their objections as a group to make sure the surfboarding remains.
"I think that the kite needs more time and development as a sport before it becomes part of the Olympic Games, and 2016 is definitely too early for that."
He has no doubts, however, about what would happen if the change does get confirmed at ISAF's annual meeting in November: "If the decision is for the kite, then I'll think about switching to kitesurfing. Personally, however, I hope windsurfing remains."
Beyond the support he has had from the Greek Sailing Federation and his Yacht Club, he faces the same issue of funding as other athletes. In his case, he has had both individual support (from Paris Kasidokostas, grandson of the late shipping magnate John Latsis) and corporate (from Billabong, his sponsor over the last few years, also providing equipment).
Despite the speed and agility required in populous and tight races, the champion windsurfer has overcome any fears he had when he first set out in the open sea, and places a lot of emphasis on commitment to competitive sailing and training. His most memorable achievements include 5th and 7th place in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships respectively, 2nd place in the European Championships of 2010, 2011 and 2012 and his ISAF world ranking for 2011 and 2012.
A competitive spirit, Kokkalanis says, "I truly enjoy what I do, whether it is training or competing. I like very much the competitive part of international races, and it is in my nature to be competitive in whatever I do, without of course transgressing the good sportsmanship rules. As tired as I may become going out, what remains is a sense of pleasure and freedom that is irreplaceable."
source: http://www.athensnews.gr
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