Rowing, with five finalists, dominates the finalists for the 2009 Halberg sports awards
Senior and lightweight single scull world champions Mahe Drysdale and Duncan Grant, the pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and the lightweight double scull crew of Storm Uru and Peter Taylor plus Richard Tonks, who coached two of the world champions have all been acknowledged.
Cycling, with women's world individual pursuit champion Alison Shanks, world BMX Olympic Class champion Sarah Walker and head coach Tim Carswell, has three finalists while athletics, with world shot put champion Valerie Vili and coach Kirsten Hellier, has two.
Other World Champions to be recognised are swimmer Sophie Pascoe and the women's 420 sailing crew of Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher.
The efforts of the All Whites to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa have been rewarded with Team and Coach ,Ricki Herbert,making the final cut.
There are 13 finalists named in the three categories from which the supreme Halberg Award winner will be chosen - Sportsman (5), Sportswoman (4), Sports Team (4).
The awards will be announced at a black tie dinner in Auckland on Thursday, February 4.
The Finalists for the 2009 Westpac Halberg Awards are:
Westpac New Zealand 'Sportsman of the Year'
Scott Dixon (motor sport), Mahe Drysdale (rowing), Duncan Grant (rowing), Richie McCaw (rugby) and Daniel Vettori (cricket).
Westpac New Zealand 'Sportswoman of the Year'
Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Alison Shanks (cycling), Valerie Vili (athletics) and Sarah Walker (BMX cycling).
Westpac New Zealand 'Sports Team of the Year'
All Whites (football), men's senior pair (rowing), men's lightweight double scull (rowing), women's 420 (sailing)
The supreme trophy, the Halberg Award, will be chosen from one of the above. The 2008 Halberg Award went to world shot put champion Valerie Vili.
For further information please contact:
Mike Jeffcoat or Armin Lindenberg
Chairman, Halberg TrustLindenberg & Partners
Ph: 021 402 542 Ph: 0274 786 040
Email: Email:
2009 WESTPAC HALBERG AWARDS CA TEGORY FINALISTS
Westpac New Zealand 'Sportsman of the Year'
Scott Dixon (Motor Sport): Had 8 podium finishes including 5 wins in the 2009 IRL and his victory at Ohio took his total IRL wins to 20, making him the most successful driver in the competition's history.
Mahe Drysdale (Rowing): Won his 4 th world single scull crown and voted male 'Rower of the Year' for 2009 by FISA, world rowing's governing body. Unbeaten in all competition during 2009.
Duncan Grant (Rowing): Winner of lightweight single scull at 2009 World Rowing Championships - his 3rd straight world championship single scull title. Also won World Cup regattas at Lucerne and Munich.
Richie McCaw (Rugby): Produced a series of outstanding performances late in the season which took the All Blacks to a clean sweep of Test victories in Europe. Was named IRB 'Player of the Year' for 2009.
Daniel Vettori (Cricket): Capped a remarkable year finishing 2009 ranked the No.1 all-rounder in One Day Internationals and the No.2 in Test cricket. Sco red 3 Test centuries with a batting average of 59.95.
Westpac New Zealand 'Sportswoman of the Year'
Sophie Pascoe (Swimming): Won 4 gold medals - all in world record time - at 2009 World Paralympic Swimming Championships. Also voted Canterbury 'Sportswoman and Sports Person' of the year.
Alison Shanks (Cycling): Beat Beijing Olympic silver medallist to win women's individual pursuit gold medal at 2009 World Track Cycling Championships. Member of NZ pursuit team which won silver medal.
Valerie Vili (Athletics): Retained her shot put title at 2009 World Track & Field Championships. Unbeaten for year in major competition and one of five finalists for the IAAF 'Female Athlete of the Year' award.
Sarah Walker (Cycling): Won two titles, the BMX Olympic Class as well as the Cruiser Class at 2009 World Cycling Championships. Also won UCI Supercross.
Westpac New Zealand 'Sports Team of the Year'
All Whites (Football): Qualified for next year's FIFA World Cup after beating Bahrain in the home and away play-off, scoring a 1-0 home win in Wellington after a 0-all draw in Bahrain.
Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (Rowing): Won the men's pair gold medal at 2009 World Rowing Championships. Unbeaten in their first year as a pair, at elite level, winning both World Cups.
Storm Uru and Peter Taylor (Rowing): Won men's lightweight double scull gold medal at 2009 World Rowing Championships. Also won both World Cup events at Lucerne and Munich.
Women's 420 (Sailing): The crew of Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher won the women's 420 World Sailing Championship at Italy. Finished regatta 9 points clear of 2nd placed Italian pair.
SPARC New Zealand 'Coach of the Year'
Ricki Herbert (Football): Coached All Whites to victory over Bahrain to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Kirsten Hellier (Athletics): Guided Valerie Vili to a World Championship shot put title and NZ record.
Tim Carswell (Cycling): Head coach of the Kiwi team which won 3 medals at 2009 World Cycling Champs.
Richard Tonks (Rowing): Coached Mahe Drysdale and the men's pair to Word Championship titles.
