Finalists have been named for the Southern Lakes Motors Central Otago Sports Awards (COSA) ahead of the awards night on May 18.

The annual COSA awards acknowledge the achievements of the region’s local sportspeople, coaches and administrators, and showcase some of the minority sports which are often overshadowed by the bigger sports.

Sport Central community sports advisor Tiny Carruthers said the standard of nominations and finalists “continue to improve” despite the impacts of Covid-19 on the sporting year.

This year’s awards also include a new category: The Para Athlete or Team category. 

Adam Hall (alpine ski racing) and Pam Walker (lawn bowls) are the finalists for the category’s inaugural year.

Adam Hall, pictured here competing in Beijing, is one of two finalists in the new Para Athlete or Team category introduced this year.

The Wānaka-heavy lineup includes a range of well-known names.

“In an Olympic year there are some obvious standouts with Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteous… finalists in the Senior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year,” Tinye said.

Nico is joined by Tairn Collins (snowboard slopestyle and big air), Campbell Wright (biathlon) and Finn Butcher (canoe slalom). 

Zoi’s running mates are Simone Maier (multi-sport and adventure racing), with rising star Jess Hotter (freeride skier) also making the finalists.

The junior awards, a “wonderful celebration of the talent that abounds in Central Otago”, has attracted some strong contenders: Junior Sportswoman finalists are Ruby Andrews (free ski slopestyle and big air), Olivia Key (alpine skiing), and Pipi Horan (rowing). 

The Junior Sportsman category includes three impressive young men, Tiny said: Gustav Legnavsky (free ski halfpipe), Marley King Smith (rowing) and Campbell Melville Ives (snowboarding). 

The Spirit Awards junior category finalists include Toby Mills, Neve Spooner and Lucas Haas, and its senior awards finalists include Megan Jeffery, Ben Richards and Camille Gullick.

Team of The Year celebrates two “exceptional” rowing quads, both from Whakatipu; and Coach of the Year finalists include Tommy Pyatt (freeski halfpipe); Sean Thompson (snowboard slopestyle and big air), John Morrison (rowing), and Ben Adams (para alpine ski).

The Southern Lakes Motors Supreme Award and the Bruce Grant Memorial Trophy will be announced at awards night, which will take place on May 18 at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

Book tickets for the event here.