Triple Olympic medallist Lisa Carrington has been awarded the prestigious Lonsdale Cup for 2016 after a year of stellar performances on the water.
The down-to-earth 27-year-old from Ohope Beach topped off 2016 with a successful Rio Olympic Games campaign. Here Carrington claimed two medals, becoming the first New Zealand woman to win two medals at one games, including her second Olympic Gold medal on the trot in the K1 200 event. This Olympic title, alongside a nail biting bronze medal in the K1 500, saw Lisa honoured with the role of New Zealand’s closing ceremony flagbearer.
“I have no doubt that there was a positive effect having an athlete of Lisa’s calibre in our Team in Rio,” said New Zealand Olympic Chef de Mission Rob Waddell.
“Her commitment, drive, determination and results were exceptional during Games-time and this inspired not only her fellow kayakers, but also the wider Olympic Team.”
Heading into 2016 Carrington had well and truly established herself as the one to beat on the water having won gold at the Canoe Sprint World Championships in the K1 200 every year since 2011 (plus Olympic Gold 2012), as well as consecutive podium finishes over three years in the second of her two events, the K1 500.
Carrington felt humbled to receive the Lonsdale Cup for 2016 and passed on her thanks to New Zealanders for their ongoing support.
“It is a great privilege and honour to receive the Lonsdale award, it's not the recognition I strive for but when it does happen it's extremely humbling,” she said.
“We have had amazing success this year in sport so I am proud to be a part of an amazing group of athletes.”
Carrington has been coached by Gordon Walker since late 2010 and credits his confident direction, strong teamwork and sense of trust as crucial success factors in their partnership
“Gordy works incredibly hard to help me pursue my aspirations and I thank him greatly for that," she said.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith congratulated Carrington on her award and noted the huge sense of pride Kiwis back home had felt following her efforts in Rio.
“The 2016 Olympic Games were a great success for our New Zealand Team and without a doubt the thrill of Lisa’s two medals on Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon were a highlight for supporters both in Rio and at home,” she said.
“Lisa has forged her place in the history books by becoming the first female to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games and she continues to inspire young New Zealand men and women through her efforts.
After a brief break out of the boat in the second half of 2016, Carrington has since returned to training and is looking towards the 2017 international season which culminates in the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Wales next August.
As far as the next four years are concerned, Carrington has decided to continue paddling and, in her words, "it's because I love what I do".
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About the Lonsdale Cup
The Lonsdale Cup was first presented in 1961 to Sir Murray Halberg.
Since then it has been awarded to outstanding New Zealand athletes including Sir John Walker, Sir Peter Snell, Barbara Kendall, Rob Waddell and Valerie Adams.
The Cup is sterling silver and of historic value, having its origins in a 1911 sporting festival between the United Kingdom, Canada and Australasia held to honour the accession of George V.
The Lonsdale Cup winner is selected by the New Zealand Olympic President’s Council (business and sporting leaders) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee Board.
Lonsdale Cup Winners 1961 - 2016
1961
Murray Halberg (athletics)
1962
Peter G Snell (athletics)
1963
William D Baillie (athletics)
1964
Peter G Snell (athletics)
1965
Don Oliver (weightlifting)
1966
Valerie Young (athletics)
1967
David McKenzie (athletics)
1968
Ian Ballinger (shooting)
1969
Jeff Julian (athletics)
1970
W D (Harry) Kent (cycling)
1971
Les Mills (athletics)
1972
Rod Dixon (athletics)
1973
Jack Foster (athletics)
1974
Richard Tayler (athletics)
1975
John Walker (athletics)
1976
John Walker (athletics)
1977
T L J (Dick) Quax (athletics)
1978
Rebecca Perrott (swimming)
1979
Ian Ferguson (canoeing)
1980
Anthony Cuff (cycling)
1981
David Barnes & Hamish Wilcox (yachting)
1982
Neroli Fairhall (archery)
1983
David Barnes & Hamish Wilcox (yachting)
1984
Ian Ferguson (canoeing)
1985
Ian Ferguson & Paul McDonald (canoeing)
1986
Anthony Mosse (swimming)
1987
Paul McDonald (canoeing)
1988
Bruce Kendall (yachting)
1989
Anthony Mosse (swimming)
1990
Gary Anderson (cycling)
1991
Anna Simcic (swimming)
1992
Danyon Loader (swimming)
1993
Brenda Lawson (rowing)
1994
Stephen Petterson (shooting)
1995
Chris White (rowing)
1996
Danyon Loader (swimming)
1997
Beatrice Faumuina (athletics)
1998
Rob Waddell (rowing)
1999
Barbara Kendall (yachting)
2000
Rob Waddell (rowing)
2001
Blyth Tait (equestrian)
2002
Sarah Ulmer (cycling)
2003
Caroline and Georgina Evers- Swindell (rowing)
2004
Sarah Ulmer (cycling)
2005
New Zealand Rowing Team (rowing)
2006
Valerie Adams (athletics)
2007
Valerie Adams (athletics)
2008
Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (rowing)
2009
Mahe Drysdale (rowing)
2010
Silver Ferns (netball)
2011
Valerie Adams (athletics)
2012
Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (rowing)
2013
Valerie Adams (athletics)
2014
Valerie Adams (athletics)
2015
Lydia Ko (golf)
2016
Lisa Carrington (canoeing)
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