OTAGO SPORT'S BIG NIGHT

AGOLD medal in the Winter X-Games could be enough for Zoi Sadowski-Synnott to win the Supreme Award at the Otago Sports Awards in the Dunedin Town Hall tonight.

The I8-year-old snowboarder won the Supreme Award last year and has to be among the favourites again. However, she has some tough competition in the Sportswoman of the Year category to get past first Commonwealth Games F46 javelin silver medallist Holly Robinson has a compelling claim as well.

The Team of the Year is probably a toss of the coin between back-to-back ANZ Premiership champions the Steel and Kate Sheppard Cup winner Dunedin Technical. Both are worthy winners.

All Black Ben Smith will be a popular vote for Sportsman of the Year. But Coast to Coast winner Dougal Allan might get the nod based on his incredible tenacity.

The Wanaka athlete won the well-known adventure race after previously coming second three times and third once. Snowsports provide two of the three finalists for the Otago Coach of the Year. Mitchell Brown might have the inside lane given he helped Sadowski-Synnott to X-Games success.

There are some tremendous finalists in the Junior Sportswoman of the Year category.

Take your pick between Alpine skier Alice Robinson, New Zealand basketball representative Nicole Ruske and newly minted professional cyclist Ella Harris.

Black Sticks development player Malachi Buschi, sevens star Vilimoni Koro and freeskier Nico Porteous will jostle for the Junior Sportsman of the Year award.

Cricket umpire Chris Gaffaney is back to defend the Official of the Year title. Netball umpire Jono Bredin and rugby referee James Doleman will provide the competition. All three have shone on the world stage.