Alexandra kayaking gold medallist Finn Butcher waves to the crowd at the Paris Olympics. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
The T20 World Cup-winning White Ferns pose for a photo following their return home to Christchurch last month.
New Zealand golfing great Lydia Ko reacts after being recognised for her qualification into the LPGA Hall of Fame during the LPGA Players Awards in Naples, Florida, last month.
Southland motorcyclist Cormac Buchanan celebrates after finishing third at the Portugal round of the JuniorGP World Championship. PHOTO: MANU TORMO
The king of the Central Otago waters could soon add another gong to his growing collection.
Alexandra paddler Finn Butcher, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, was announced last night as a finalist for sportsman of the year for the Halberg Awards.
Butcher is in good company alongside gold medallist high jumper Hamish Kerr, Olympic triathlete Hayden Wilde, English Premier League footballer Chris Wood and champion jockey James McDonald.
Kayaker Lisa Carrington, who won the supreme award last year, is again a finalist for sportswoman of the year after winning triple gold in Paris.
Olympic champion cyclist Ellesse Andrews, Olympic champion golfer Lydia Ko, rowing great Emma Twigg, tennis player Erin Routliffe and cricket all-rounder Melie Kerr, who was a standout in the White Ferns' T20 World Cup win, round out the category.
Dunedin Paralympic champion Anna Grimaldi is a finalist in the para athlete/team of the year for her outstanding gold in the T47 200m.
She is joined by fellow track athletes William Stedman and Danielle Aitchison, who were also impressive in Paris, and Paralympic cyclists Nicole Murray and Anna Taylor.
The world champion White Ferns are finalists for team of the year, alongside Olympic champions the Black Ferns Sevens and Team New Zealand for their third consecutive America's Cup victory.
The women's canoe sprint K2 and K4 crews, and "rowing mums" Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis, are also in the team category.
Five-time coach of the year Gordon Walker, who guides Carrington, has been named in the coach of the year category.
Walker is joined by Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney and track cycling coach Jon Andrews, as well as James Sandilands (athletics) and Aaron Osborne (canoe), who coach Hamish Kerr and Butcher respectively.
Rising Southland motorcycle rider Cormac Buchanan has been named as a finalist for emerging talent off the back of his fantastic season in the FIM JuniorGP world championship.
Motocross champion Levi Townley, Youth Winter Olympian Luke Harrold, footballer Tyler Bindon, mountain biker Erice Van Leuven and world under-20 triple jump gold medallist Ethan Oliver round out the emerging talent category.
The awards on February 18 will also feature the inaugural Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, alongside the leadership award and the public-voted favourite sporting moment.
