Liam Lawson and Shane van Gisbergen are included as finalists in the only publicly-voted category of the Halberg Awards, receiving nominations for New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment.
Ten moments are up for the award, with the winner announced at the 61st Halberg Awards at Spark Arena on February 14.
Van Gisbergen’s selection comes from his NASCAR Cup Series race win in Chicago, where he became the first debut victor in the series in over 60 years.
Lawson’s stunning drive to ninth at the Singapore Grand Prix is also an option, with the Kiwi claiming AlphaTauri’s best finish of the season at that point in just his third Formula 1 race.
The duo faces competition from some great sporting moments from 2023, which includes the Black Caps 1 run win over England in February, the Warriors 32-30 victory over the Sharks, having trailed 20-0 in April, and Sam Whitelock’s last-minute turnover in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland.
Van Gisbergen is also one of five finalists for Sportsman of the Year, while four-time WMX Motocross World Champion Courtney Duncan is up for Sportswoman of the Year.
Fans can vote for their favourite sporting moment once per day on the Halberg website until 9.00 pm on February 14.
Top 10 Sporting Moments finalists
- Black Caps beat England by 1 run, just the second time in history a test match has been decided by this margin and the fourth instance of a side winning after following on.
- NZ Warriors 32-30 victory over the Sharks, having trailed 20-0 after 18 minutes.
- Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR win on debut in Chicago.
- Hannah Wilkinson scores the only goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup opener against Norway.
- Mea Motu defends IBO World Super bantamweight title despite dislocating her shoulder in the first round.
- Women’s K4 Kayak 500m becoming the first K4 crew from New Zealand to win the World Championship title.
- Ryan Fox wins BMW PGA Championship.
- Liam Lawson points in Singapore.
- Sam Whitelock wins a turnover in the final moment of the game to secure an All Blacks victory in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final to upset world number 1 Ireland.
- Ronaldo Mulitalo scores a sensational length-of-the-field try for the Kiwis against the Kangaroos.
Header Image: Getty Images/ Red Bull Content Pool
My vote goes to Liam Lawson for his Ninth place and also his victories on the international front.
My vote goes to SVG for his dedication to the sport we all love, he’s a great ambassador for New Zealand in the global Motorsport scene. His time in Australian supercars he has shone and now into NASCAR where his potential is massive and I wish him all the best.