A presentation was held in Wānaka on Friday night (August 18) to formally hand over the Halberg Awards to Wānaka athletes who were unable to attend the formal ceremony in Auckland in February.

On hand to receive their awards were Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Supreme Halberg Award and Sportswoman of the Year), Nico Porteus (Sportsman of the Year), Corey Peters (Para Athlete of the Year), and Gustav Legnavsky (Emerging Talent Award).

“Wow, I actually haven't seen it yet, so this is pretty exciting,” Zoi said.

“I'm so glad for this opportunity to thank all these people around here who have done so much for me and helped me so much.

“I just wanted to say thank you to the Halberg Foundation for putting this evening on and, like, allowing me to celebrate with friends and family and the community.”

Zoi claimed eight event podiums in 2022, including New Zealand's first ever Winter Olympic gold medal, an Olympic silver medal, two X Games gold medals (Slopestyle and Big Air) and a Dew Tour win. She took the top spot at the Natural Selection Baldface Stop, third place at the Natural Selection finals in Alaska and a second-place finish at the Mammoth Mountain Slopestyle World Cup.

Nico Porteus said it was pretty special to receive his award among friends and family.

“This award means a lot,” Nico said.

“I had the absolute year of my life, and to be honest, I don't know if it will happen again.”

Nico was ranked the number one freeski halfpipe competitor in the world after claiming gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, defending his X Games title and winning the Mammoth Mountain World Cup.

Five of the eight awards at the 2023 Halberg Awards were won by the four Wānaka snow sport athletes.

Gustav Legnavsky, Nico Porteus, Zoi, and Corey Peters.

The ISPS Handa Halberg Awards is New Zealand's leading event to honour and celebrate New Zealand's sporting excellence and raise funds for Sir Murray Halberg's charity the Halberg Foundation, which aims to enhance the lives of physically disabled young Kiwis through sport and recreation.

PHOTOS: Halberg Foundation