Herald to fore in sports prizes

Christine Cornege's image of Matthew Grayling at Kihikihi won her the best single photo title and helped her become Nikon Sports Photographer of the year. Photo / Christine Cornege

New Zealand Herald sports photographers and writers once again proved to be the best in the business at last night's sports journalism awards.

Herald photographers Christine Cornege and Brett Phibbs and sports journalist Dana Johannsen were all recognised for their work at the 2011 Sir Terry McLean National Sports Journalism Awards dinner.

Cornege won the Nikon Award for Sports Photography for best single photo for capturing rider Matthew Grayling coming unstuck in the show-jumping phase of the Kihikihi International Horse Trial in April.

She was also named the Nikon Sports Photographer of the Year.

Phibbs took home the Nikon Award for Sports Photography award for the best portfolio.

And Johannsen won the Adidas Award for best single sports story, an exclusive about Netball New Zealand seeking an exemption for Cathrine Latu to play for the Silver Ferns.
Herald photographer Dean Purcell and sports writer Dylan Cleaver were also recognised.

Purcell was a finalist for both the best portfolio and best single photo awards and Cleaver was a finalist for the sports column/opinion section.

The awards, sponsored by Sparc and held at the Novotel Ellerslie Hotel last night, attracted around 220 past and present media and sporting celebrities.

Among the guests were former All Black coach Graham Henry, 1987 All Black Rugby World Cup winning captain David Kirk as guest speaker and other representatives from the 1987 side.

They were joined by former Olympians, including gold medallists Rob Waddell and Danyon Loader as well as some athletes bound for the London Games and seven gold medal- winning World Rowing Champions.