Coutts adds spice to Halberg awards

Success-studded yachtsman Russell Coutts threatens to divide New Zealand opinion for the second time when the outstanding sports achievements of 2003 are announced in Christchurch tomorrow night.

One of the most anticipated Halberg Awards in its history, Coutts' presence at the Christchurch Convention Centre adds considerably extra spice.

The reaction if the he wins the supreme prize in New Zealand sport, The Halberg Award, is a source of intrigue.

This time last year Coutts was in Auckland in the midst of his successful campaign to take the America's Cup away from New Zealand shores.

Confirming his status as one of the greatest yachtsmen in America's Cup history, he skippered Swiss syndicate Alinghi to a comprehensive 5-0 win over Team New Zealand. He was at the helm of TNZ when they won the Cup in 1995 and defended it in 2000.

Still not forgotten is the sentiment from sections of the New Zealand public towards New Zealand members of the Alinghi campaign -- and particularly Coutts -- before, during and after the regatta. Pockets of critics were aggrieved that he left TNZ for greater money at Alinghi.

Since his nomination as one of four finalists in tomorrow night's sportsman of the year category, radio talkback airwaves have been abuzz with callers wanting to defend or attack the actions of the 41-year-old.

Debate has surrounded his awards eligibility.

Some say it would be acceptable if he won the sportsman title but would regard it in a different light if he won the Halberg Award, chosen from the winners of the sportsman, sportswoman and sports team categories. They say it would besmirch the honour of the man the awards are named after, Sir Murray Halberg, who represents the wholesome virtues of sport in this country.

The judges must decide whether to be swayed in any way by morality or judge the awards purely on sporting achievement.

Voting for the awards is carried out by an Academy comprising three former Halberg finalists or overall winners, Sandra Edge (netball), Chris Lewis (tennis) and Mike Stanley (rowing) and 11 sports journalists.

There is a strong field for the sportsman category, with Coutts up against karting world champion Wade Cunningham, canoeing world champion Ben Fouhy and Indy Racing League motor racing winner Scott Dixon.

Coutts recently said he was bemused by the criticism of his nomination.

"In terms of the criteria as I see it, I'm a New Zealander and I'm a sportsman. Then it comes down to whether I've achieved on the sports field or in my case on the ocean," he said.

"There have been some people who have reacted negatively over time but there have been a lot of positives.

"I wouldn't say that's all beyond me now. But I can honestly say I don't think too much about some of the opinion that's gone on in the past."

He will attend the awards with his mother, Beverly.

"I'm focusing on the sporting side of it. I'm there for a sporting occasion."

Two New Zealand netball players are in the sportswoman field -- Temepara Clark and Irene van Dyk -- as are world mountain running champion Melissa Moon and former world squash No 1 Carol Owens.

The world champion Silver Ferns are one of the team finalists. The others are double sculls rowing world champion twins Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell -- the 2001 champions -- the world champion sevens rugby team and world championship Madison silver medallists at the world cycling championships, Hayden Roulston and Greg Henderson.

The coach of the year finalists are Ruth Aitken of the Silver Ferns, Gordon Tietjens from sevens rugby, rowing coach Richard Tonks and canoeing mentor Ian Ferguson.

Finalists for the 2003 Halberg Awards:

Sportsman of the Year: Russell Coutts (yachting), Wade Cunningham (karting), Scott Dixon (motor racing), Ben Fouhy (canoeing)

Sportswoman of the Year: Temepara Clark (netball), Melissa Moon (athletics), Carol Owens (squash), Irene van Dyk (netball)

Sports Team of the Year: Greg Henderson and Hayden Roulston (cycling), New Zealand Seven's Rugby Team, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (rowing), Silver Ferns (netball)

The supreme trophy, the Halberg Award, will be chosen from one of the above.

Coach of the Year: Ruth Aitken (netball), Ian Ferguson (canoeing), Gordon Tietjens (rugby), Richard Tonks (rowing).

- NZPA