Two Wānaka sportspeople claimed top honours in the 63rd Halberg Awards in Auckland on Monday (February 16).

Snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, currently competing at her third Winter Olympics, was named Sportswoman of the Year.

Last year she earned her third snowboard slopestyle world title, and just last week she claimed Olympic silver in the women’s Big Air competition at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics (Tuesday February 10).

Read more: Zoi soars to Olympic silver in Big Air

Zoi was scheduled to defend her title in the snowboard slopestyle final at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics early this morning (Thursday February 19). 

Read more: Zoi’s bid for Olympic gold put on hold

Kat Mueller was honoured with the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award for her work with adaptive snowsports, including the Adaptive Programme at Cardrona Alpine Resort. 

Kat (in red) at work at Cardrona Alpine Resort. PHOTO: Supplied

Through inclusive coaching, innovative equipment, and dedication, Kat has “created pathways for participation, belonging, and achievement - helping hundreds gain confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships”, the Halberg commendation said.

Cardrona/Treble Cone Snowsports School manager Kirsty Oakes told the Wānaka App that Kat’s passion for sharing the mountains - and the outdoors in general - with people, combined with her nursing background, has been “priceless”.

“She just has the air about her that nothing is too difficult, ‘we can get it done’,” Kirsty said.

That quality is essential when it comes to getting people up snowboarding or skiing when “it seems too big a hill to climb”, she said.

“Kat always figures out a way … that’s why she’s where she is now.”

Kat’s involvement has also been “a lot wider than Cardrona/TC”, Kirsty said.

“She is involved in the wider adaptive community, runs all the volunteer groups up here… and is trying to get more people involved.” 

Cardrona Alpine Resort posted on social media that Kat’s dedication has “changed lives and inspired our whole community”.

She has “transformed” adaptive skiing and opened up the mountain “for hundreds of people,” the ski area said.

Kat is currently in Canada and was not available to comment.

Wānaka resident Richie McCaw was also formally welcomed (along with Dame Valerie Adams) into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, recognising their contributions, achievements, and lasting impact on New Zealand sport.

The full list of winners is: 

• Supreme Halberg Award: Hamish Kerr (athletics - field)
• Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snow sports - snowboarding)
• Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Kerr (athletics - field)
• Para Athlete of the Year: Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics - track)
• Team of the Year: Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens)
• Coach of the Year: James Sandilands (athletics -field)
• Emerging Talent: Sam Ruthe (athletics - track)
• Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Katie Sadlier
• Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award: Kat Mueller