Laura Quilter takes Sportsperson of the Year

PROUD FAMILY: Wainui Surf Life Saving Club’s international athlete Laura Quilter’ with grandmother Jenny Hyland (left), mother Sue Quilter and father Murray Quilter share the moment as she is named Gisborne’s sportsperson of the year after winning the sportswoman of the year award. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

SURF lifesaver Laura Quilter was crowned Sportsperson of the Year last night at the Sporting Excellence Awards and said it was a “truly incredible feeling”.

The three-time world champion New Zealand Black Fins team member and world record holder in the 50-metre manikin carry won the top accolade and sportswoman of the year award.

“We all come from a small city,” said Quilter of Gisborne’s athletes.

“We can be intimidated by going abroad to compete against people we might think are better than us.”

Three days before an international lifesaving competition, her coach predicted the New Zealand team would bring home the world title.

“We heard people say it was a fluke but two years later in France we did it again.”

Last year the Black Fins claimed the lifesaving world champion title for a third time.

“I don’t care how small we are,” said Quilter.

“We are absolute titans when it comes to sport. We dig deep.”