Dixon wins Halberg Award
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| Scott Dixon adds another award to what is becoming a very crowded trophy case. |
2013 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon has won the Halberg Award for sportsman of the year in New Zealand. The article below mentions Dixon and the other Kiwi athletes honored at the prestigious awards ceremony.
Kiwi golfing phenom Lydia Ko has beaten an impressive field of athletes to be named the 2014 supreme winner of the Halberg Awards.
Ko who has made a habit of beating much older and experienced opponents in her golfing career repeated the formula in tonight's awards defeating Scott Dixon, the All Blacks, Sophie Pascoe to claim the top award.
2013 Indycar champion Scott Dixon was winner of the sportsman of the year award but was not able to attend the awards due to being in the US for car testing.
The Black Sox won the people’s choice award for the moment of the year after winning the softball World Championships last year.
The All Blacks picked up two gongs for team of the year and coach of the year going to Steven Hansen.
Swimmer Sophie Pascoe won the disabled sportsperson of the year for the third straight year.
14 year old world champion swimmer Gabrielle Fa'amausili was named the emerging talent winner for her world record breaking feat in the 50 metre back stroke in 2013.
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10.38pm – That's it folks after a brief interview, Ko signs out and the Halberg Awards end with a performance from Jamie McDell
10.36pm – As Tautarangi leaves the stage the Halberg Awards go live to Melbourne where Ko is standing by for an interview.
10.29pm – Lydia Ko wins the Supreme Award with Phillip Tautarangi accepting the award on her behalf. He congratulates the other recipients of awards and thanks New Zealand for their support. Further he says that Lydia's career has just started and will fly the Kiwi flag proudly around the world. He congratulates her parents for the ability to foster a sports-loving daughter and Guy Wilson her former coach who has made a significant contribution to her early golfing success.
10.27pm – And the nominees for the Supreme Award are Lydia Ko, Sophie Pascoe, the All Blacks, and Scott Dixon. The winner is…
10.24pm – The Black Sox win the people's choice award for the 2013 moment of the year after winning the World Softball Championship.
10.18pm – Sarah Ulmer and Jonah Lomu have been inducted into the Halberg Awards Hall of Fame for her achievements in cycling and rugby respectively.
10.06pm – All Blacks win the Team of the Year after their perfect season in 2013 where they were undefeated in all test matches. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw accepts the award thanking all his teammates for their contribution and adding to the legacy of the All Blacks. Steve Hansen says that it doesn't matter who wins tonight but what is key is that Kiwi athletes support each other no matter where they are in the world.
9.57pm – Lydia Ko wins the award after an outstanding season where she successfully defended her Canadian Open title, turned professional and set the women’s golfing world on fire with her remarkable performances in the pro ranks while still a teenager.
9.52pm – Nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year are Lauren Boyle (Swimming), Lisa Carrington (Canoeing), Lydia Ko (Golf), Valerie Adams (Athletics). And the winner is…
9.40pm – Richie McCaw is presented with a leadership award for his outstanding guidance and direction of the All Blacks. Some of leadership tips from the All Black captain himself: (a) you never ask anyone what you aren't prepared to do yourself (b) don't pretend to know it all yourself.
9.30pm – Disabled Sportsperson of the year award goes to….Sophie Pascoe takes out her third win in a row in this category with nine world records in 2013, five golds at the world championships.
9.21pm – The winner is Scott Dixon for NZ Sportsman of the Year, congratulations to the Indy Car driver who won the 2013 Indy Car driver.
9.18pm – The nominees for Sportsman of the Year are Aaron Gate (Cycling), Andrew Nicholson (Equestrian), Kieran Read (Rugby), Scott Dixon (Motorsport).
9.00pm – Graham Sycamore is awarded the Halberg Awards lifetime achievement awards for his work as a cycling coach and enthusiast.
8.54pm – The winner is Steve Hansen coach of the mighty All Blacks.
8.51pm – The second award is for coach of the year. The nominees are Eddie Kohlhase (Softball), Guy Wilson (Golf), Nathan Handley (Yachting), Steve Hansen (Rugby).
8.43pm – The winner is Gabrielle Fa'amausili is a 14 year old swimming sensation who is the world champions and world record holder for her age in the 50 metre backstroke. Her ultimate goal is to attend the Rio 2016 Olympics and win a medal.
8.42pm – The nominees are: Ella Williams (Surfing), Gabrielle Fa’amausili (Swimming), Jake Lewis (Motorcycling), Tom Murray (Rowing).
8.40pm – The first award of the evening is the presentation for the Emerging Talent of the Year.
8.37pm – Jamie McDells performs a song to open the evening. Eric Young and Melodie Robinson are introduced as mcees and accordingly give their opening remarks.
8.23pm – Vector Arena is packed out with New Zealand's finest athletes and coaches. The awards will begin in seven minutes.
Numerous successes on the world stage sees the finalists coming from 16 different sports codes including; swimming, cycling, para shooting, equestrian, motorsport, blind bowling and softball.
Yachting and rugby feature as strong contenders with three apiece in line for awards.
A Voting Academy consisting of 30 former athletes, coaches and media representatives selected the finalists from a list of 58 nominations.
The full list of finalists for the 51st Westpac Halberg Awards:
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year
Aaron Gate (Cycling), Andrew Nicholson (Equestrian), Kieran Read (Rugby), Scott Dixon (Motorsport).
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year
Lauren Boyle (Swimming), Lisa Carrington (Canoeing), Lydia Ko (Golf), Valerie Adams (Athletics).
Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
David Monk (Blind Bowling), Mary Fisher (Para Swimming), Mike Johnson (Para Shooting), Sophie Pascoe (Para Swimming).
Westpac Team of the Year
All Blacks (Rugby), Black Sox (Softball), Men’s Pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Rowing), Women’s 470 – Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (Yachting) and Men’s 49er Class Team – Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (Yachting).
Coach of the Year
Eddie Kohlhase (Softball), Guy Wilson (Golf), Nathan Handley (Yachting), Steve Hansen (Rugby).
Westpac Emerging Talent
Ella Williams (Surfing), Gabrielle Fa’amausili (Swimming), Jake Lewis (Motorcycling), Tom Murray (Rowing).