The South African women’s surfski team that performed so well at the 2017 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Hong Kong has been shortlisted for the G Sport Team of The Year Award.
The team consisted of Hayley Nixon, Michelle Burn, Bridgitte Hartley, Nikki Birkett, Kyeta Purchase, Jenna Ward, Zara Wood and Sabina Lawrie, and produced two world champions, Nixon and Lawrie, and three other podium finishes.
It was an exciting race in the senior ladies race with Nixon and Burn going head-to-head and finishing the world championships in first and second while Lawrie beat Georgie Sinclair from Australia and fellow South African Wood – who finished third.
The other podium spot went to Kyeta Purchase who finished second in the Under 23 race.
The competition for the Team of the Year Award is going to be stiff with the Momentum Proteas women’s cricket team and the USSA Women’s football team taking up the other two spots.
“It’s fantastic news that the women in our sport are being recognised for their fantastic achievements,” CSA President Kim Pople mentioned. “As a federation we are incredibly proud of their achievements with two gold medals, two silvers at a bronze against the best in the world.
“To also be ranked number one in the worlds is an incredible achievement.”
With the awards set for 31 August, at the end of Women’s Month in South Africa, Pople has urged paddlers and non-paddlers to get behind the ladies and vote.
“Go and give them your vote and lets support the women in our sport!” she added.
To cast your vote go to www.gsport.co.za/voting.