A need for speed on the water has propelled former Marlborough sailor Honor Fyfe to the Olympics.
The 14-year-old windsurfer is currently representing NZ at the upcoming Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, where she is one of the youngest competitors. At last report, after nine races, she was sitting mid-table among her 22 rivals.
Honor has enjoyed a strong year, winning the Junior Female 6m title at the 2026 iQFOiL NZ championships in February – her first-ever iQFOiL regatta, just eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery. During the regatta, she battled three days of heavy gusts in a world-class fleet featuring seasoned Olympians.
She backed that up in early August by finishing seventh overall in the under-17 Girls fleet at the Techno 293 Asian Championships in Malaysia. Across 14 races on the same equipment she is using in Dakar, she recorded a best finish of third.
Honor was born and bred in Blenheim, attending Rapaura and Springlands primary schools, then Bohally Intermediate.
Her sailing education began in an Optimist at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, from where her father Jeff and two uncles, Scott and Michael, sailed competitively.
Her mother Shiloh says, “The connection to water and sailing has been in Honor’s genes from the day she was born. She has grown up hearing countless stories about the sailing adventures of her Dad and uncles … it was almost inevitable that she ended up sailing.”
Later she honed her skills in an open skiff, a dinghy proudly supported by Sir Russell Coutts and sailed by many top successful sailors.
Two years ago, her family relocated to Manly, Whangaparaoa to pursue further sailing opportunities.
Honor quickly decided she preferred going fast and, after moving to Manly, she opted to jump on the iQ FOiL, a foiling windsurfer which is an Olympic class.
She immediately showed an aptitude for the spectacular high-speed discipline, her undoubted promise and attitude catching the attention of former Olympic champion Barbara Kendall.
The three-time Games medallist not only gave up her time to tutor the youngster, she gifted her a special piece of apparatus, namely the harness Barbara wore in so many successful campaigns.
The harness, which is worn, faded and beginning to show its age, is a piece of equipment athletes struggle to replace once they've found the right fit. When Honor was confirmed as heading to the Youth Olympics, Barbara knew exactly who should have it.
"I've held onto this one for a really long time because it's so comfortable and it feels like this is the reason why - take it away baby," she told the NZ Olympic team website.
"It's almost falling to pieces… but it works well," Honor laughed. "She's worn it at her World Champs and a couple of Olympic Games. So, lots of history in there," she added.
Although the harness will be treasured and a visible link to this country’s rich sailing heritage, it is Kendall’s knowledge which may prove pivotal to Honor’s on-going progress as she navigates the early stages of an Olympic journey.
With windsurfing confirmed on the Dakar 2026 programme, Barbara immediately recognised the chance it presented for a young New Zealand sailor.
Once New Zealand secured a place, Fyfe’s learning curve accelerated quickly.
Equipment was sourced from around the country and Barbara developed a hands-on coaching approach, often heading onto the water herself with radios so she could talk Honor through techniques in real-time.
“[Honor] is so gutsy, she doesn't get put off. She has an amazing disposition with how she approaches challenges and never gets dramatic. She just takes everything in her stride.
"It is remarkable to have a 14-year-old that is so fit and strong - you don't find girls like her very often," said Barbara.
The thrill of foiling at speed is addictive, says Honor.
"When you're first getting up, it's like a plane. You've got to slowly lift up. Then once you're up and away, it's insane. It's like hitting 20 or 25 knots. It's super-fast and fun," she said.
For now, her focus remains on training, long days on the water and soaking up everything she can from one of New Zealand's greats.
