Federer king of Laureus Awards
Formula One champions Mercedes have beaten Team New Zealand at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards on a night where Roger Federer became the event’s most decorated athlete.
Skippered by Glenn Ashby, Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup with a stunning 7-1 victory over defending champion Oracle Team USA in Bermuda last June.
However, they were pipped for the Laureus Award by Mercedes, who won a fourth consecutive constructors championship on the back of Lewis Hamilton’s success in 2017.
Other finalists in the team of the year category included the French Davis Cup tennis team, the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the 2017 Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots and Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Ashby and Team New Zealand chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge were in attendance at growing up and then to be involved in such a close finish … just a crazy day really,’’ he said.
‘‘It started by seeing the Three Kings right at sunrise this morning and then down the Northland coast, catching the front three boats and then a super close finish.
‘‘I’m really proud to be a Kiwi. To sail in here and to see all my friends and family is pretty special.’’
Tuke said the close racing that characterised this leg which was punctuated by a slow slog through the Doldrums, had been draining on all the boats and crews.
They had been in match racing mode with Dong Feng throughout, tucked in behind the top three boats for most of the leg, before making their bold run home.
‘‘It’s been the longest leg and a really hard fought battle with Dong Feng. We’ve been side by side, literally within sight of each other, for three weeks and that takes its toll. It makes it tiring the glitzy ceremony in Monte Carlo yesterday.
Tennis players won the two major individual awards, with Serena Williams named sportswoman of the year and Federer sportsman.
Federer also won comeback of the year, in recognition of his achievements in overcoming a serious knee injury to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
With six gongs, the Swiss star is now the most decorated winner in the award’s history.
‘‘It was an unforgettable year for me, to come back after a very difficult 2016, and these awards just make it even more memorable. When I won my first Laureus Award back in 2005, if you had said I would have ended up winning six I would not have believed you. It’s been an amazing ride.’’ being right by a top boat like that,’’ Tuke said.
‘‘So it was really pleasing to beat them and also slip up on to the podium, passing one of the other boats [Turn the Tide on Plastic] right in the entrance to the Hauraki Gulf.’’
Tuke said they hadn’t given up hope despite their unlikely position heading towards the top of New Zealand on Tuesday. History showed there were always chances on the final phase of the leg.
‘‘We always know the approach here can be tricky. We thought we had lost our chances. We knew there was going to be a little compression but the front boats were quite far in front. But they really slowed down along the Northland coast and we managed to keep moving OK and caught them up.
‘‘We almost had a chance at the lead at one stage.’’
Kiwi sailors Justin Ferris and Brad Ferrand were aboard leg winner AkzoNobel.