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Peter Kadar always dreamed of competing at the Olympics, now he is helping New Zealand's top sailors achieve their Olympic ambitions.
The 32-year-old joined Yachting New Zealand this week as high performance programme manager with the task of planning and organising a lot of the logistics for the NZL Sailing Team. This includes looking after shipping, accommodation and travel.
"The role is a very exciting one for me," he said, "especially working with an organisation that is at the top of their game and done very well for a number of years.
"My job is to support the coaches and athletes so they can coach and sail. I heard sailors are self-sufficient but if I can take anything off their shoulders, that's got to be good for them."
Kadar comes from a sporting background. He was a competitive swimmer for a number of years, and had aspirations of representing Hungary at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, before pursuing kayaking and mountain biking. He competed at two single speed mountain biking world championships and came to New Zealand in 2009 after finishing his honours degree in sports management "because I thought New Zealand was the best place for mountain biking".
He's since taken up triathlons and has completed one ironman, although his training schedule might take a hit from November when his wife is expecting the couple's first child.
Kadar previously worked for Basketball New Zealand for seven years, where he was team operations manager looking after all the teams from junior level to the Tall Blacks. He has no sailing background but was captivated by the recent America's Cup and has already been out to observe his first training session involving sailors from the wider Olympic squad.
"It's hugely entertaining to watch the sailing at the OIympics and America's Cup," he said. "I love water sports so it's great to be able to combine my hobbies with my career."
