3 Jan 2010

Rowing dominates Halberg sports awards

8:51 am on 3 January 2010

Rowing dominates the finalists for the 2009 Halberg sports awards.

Rowing has five finalists. Cycling has three and athletics has two: world shot put champion Valerie Vili and coach Kirsten Hellier.

The All Whites and coach Ricki Herbert are recognised for qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa in June - July.

Contenders for sportsman of the year are: motor racing champion Scott Dixon, rowers Mahe Drysdale and Duncan Grant, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and NZ cricket captain Daniel Vettori.

Sportswoman of the year nominees are swimmer Sophie Pascoe, cyclist Alison Shanks, Vili and BMX cyclist Sarah Walker.

Team of the year finalists are the All Whites, the men's senior rowing pair, the men's lightweight double scull rowers and the women's 420 sailing team.

The awards will be announced in Auckland on 4 February.