Three from Otago into Halberg finals

THREE Otago snowsports athletes have been named finalists for next month’s Halberg Awards.

Zoi SadowskiSynnott, Nico Porteous and Adam Hall were all nominated after their medalwinning performances at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

All three are also eligible for the supreme award.

SadowskiSynnott joins squash player Joelle King, equestrian Jonelle Price and canoeist Lisa Carrington in the sportswoman of the year category.

Contesting the sportsman of the year award alongside Porteous are Supercar driver Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar racer Scott Dixon and shot putter Tom Walsh.

Hall rounds out the Otago finalists in the parasportsperson of the year award.

He is up against swimmer Sophie Pascoe, canoe racer

Scott Martlew and fellow skier Corey Peters.

Both the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens will contest team of the year.

They will compete against the under17 New Zealand women’s football team, the New Zealand women’s kayaking team and the Black Sticks women.

Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt will be a talking point in the coach of the year finalists.

He competes against men’s and women’s sevens coaches in Clark Laidlaw and Alan Bunting respectively, as well as under17 women’s football coach Leon Birnie and canoe racing’s Gordon Walker.

The emerging talent of the year will be among cricketer Amelia Kerr, football goalkeeper Anna Leat, yachtsman Josh Armit, swimmer Lewis Clareburt and shot putter MaddisonLee Wesche.

The awards night will be held on February 21.