He described himself as 49 percent Kiwi, but 100 percent of the New Zealand athletic community is mourning the sudden death of Frenchman Laurent Vidal, the fiancée of Olympic triathlete Andrea Hewitt.
The 31-year-old, who had had previous heart trouble, died in his sleep at home in the south of France.
Both popular and colourful, the Frenchman remodelled himself as a coach after suffering a cardiac arrest swimming two-and-a-half years ago.
Vidal's favourite project was fiancée Hewitt. He helped prepare her for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Former New Zealand triathlon coach Greg Fraine knows the pair well, professionally and personally.
"Pretty much devastation – really one for Laurent, who had such a promising career, and Andrea," says Fraine. "The two of them were so close together, and knowing how Andrea will react, the special relationship they had, it's just gut-wrenching."
As she prepared for the Games, Hewitt spoke to 3 News about his health scare.
"It was a shock. I had to pack my bags and go straight to France, didn't really think about it. As soon as I got to France he was awake and recovered in hospital. It was two weeks out he was then straight back into coaching me."
In August Vidal was best man for former New Zealand athlete James Elvery. He and fellow triathlete Tom Davidson are now on their way to France to be with Hewitt.
Vidal's death has drawn comment from leading athletes around the world.
French President Francois Hollande tweeted: "Laurent Vidal was a great champion. I offer my condolences to his family and to French sport."
Vidal had started to bring international athletes to train in Hewitt's hometown of Christchurch in the summer; another group was due again soon.
"Fantastic coach, outstanding athlete, good all-round person, loved by so many – it's just such a sad day," says Fraine.
Hewitt was recently the first New Zealand athlete named for the Rio Olympics, something Vidal was very proud of.
3 News