Lauren Boyle finalist in Halberg Awards

Triple world championship medalist Lauren Boyle has been selected as a finalist in the Halberg Awards announced today.

Lauren is one of four in a remarkable field for the Sportswoman of the Year along with shot put world champion Valerie Adams, kayak world champion Lisa Carrington and world No 4 ranked golfer Lydia Ko.

Lauren is the first swimmer to be selected as a finalist since Moss Burmester in 2006.

She celebrated a brilliant 2013 season with three bronze medals at the FINA World Swimming Championship, equaling the three medals won by Danyon Loader, with only eight medals won by New Zealand swimmers in the history of the event.

Lauren finished the year ranked sixth in the world over 400m freestyle, third over 800m free and 1500 free. Over short course she is ranked eighth in the 400m freestyle and second over 800m freestyle.

Junior world champion Gabrielle Fa’amausili from Auckland is also a finalist in the emerging talent category. Gabrielle, from the Laser Mt Eden club, won the gold medal in the 50m backstroke.

The brilliant para swimmers Mary Fisher and Sophie Pascoe, both multi world championship titleholders and world record holders this year, are finalists in the Disable Sportsperson of the Year category along with blind bowler David Monk and para shooter Mike Johnson.