Kiwi rally driver Emma Gilmour is returning home in early January, securing a Managed Isolation and Quarantine spot amid a reallocation of spaces from Sport New Zealand.
Gilmour, who has been away competing in international rally events, confirmed the news on social media this morning.
It follows a recent announcement that Sport New Zealand has 20 vacant spots per month to allocate to athletes trapped overseas.
“Thanks for everyone’s support around the uncertainty of MIQ – it was really appreciated,” Gilmour said.
Sport New Zealand has battled heavy criticism the past few months for not guaranteeing certain international representatives a MIQ spot to return to.
In August, Sport and Recreational minister Grant Robinson said “mid-size sports” would be most affected by the limited number of MIQ spots.
Athletes like Gilmour have had to otherwise go through the virtual lobby system in a bid to get home.
It was the lack of available spots that cancelled Greg Murphy’s and Richie Stanaway’s Bathurst 1000 return.
Gilmour will spend only a few weeks in New Zealand before her 2022 season kicks off in January.
Her first commitment will be the opening Extreme E round in Saudi Arabia.
Gilmour is racing in the full 2022 Extreme E campaign with McLaren. She is the first female factory McLaren driver in the team’s illustrious history.
According to Stuff, three-time Women’s motocross world champion Courtney Duncan has also applied for one of the 20 available spots.
From February 14, any fully vaccinated Kiwi returning home from overseas won’t have to isolate in MIQ.