Rowing: Edward sets sights on Olympics

Rotorua's Julia Edward receives the Supreme Award at the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards on Friday night. Photo / Ben Fraser

Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games has gone from a dream to a realistic goal for Julia Edward this year.

Edward won gold at the world rowing championships for the first time in August in the women's lightweight double scull event, which is an Olympic event.

Edward and rowing partner Sophie MacKenzie (Blenheim) also broke the world record in the final.

The 23-year-old was recognised for her top achievement during the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards on Friday night taking home the top honour - the Supreme Award.

Other athletes in the running for the award included the likes of world champions Lisa Carrington and Peter Burling.

After the awards, an elated and surprised Edward said she was proud to be put alongside the names who had won the award in the past.

"It makes it realistic that my name is up there as well and I'm very humble and very proud that I have actually taken out that category."

Edward said 2014 had been a lot about building self-belief in her Olympic goals.

"That's the thing, winning really made me believe that it is a realistic goal for me to win the Olympics."

Edward was on stage twice on Friday night at the awards evening, once to receive the Sportswoman of the Year Award followed by the Supreme Award.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick presented the Supreme Award.

"Honestly, I was just sitting there so relaxed and not even expecting it, and I was just like oh yep the night is finished now I can relax. And then they called my name up and yeah it was awesome having Steve Chadwick to read it out," she said.

"We had just had a big chat before she had gone on stage - just because she is a good family friend - so for her giving me the award was very special as well."

Any celebrations were cut short though for the former Rotorua Girls' High School student, who was back training in Cambridge the following morning.

Edward said her rowing partner MacKenzie had also won the same award at the Marlborough Sports Awards recently and she was looking forward to breaking the news to her.

Edward is currently in training with the summer rowing squad in Cambridge.

There are five rowers competing for the New Zealand women's lightweight double scull boat for next season, something Edward was excited about.

"It is very competitive. But I love the competitiveness because if it is competitive now it is going to make us better for when we go on the international stage."

Edward said she would be having a small break over Christmas and would spend time with family in Rotorua. She will then build up to the nationals early next year and then the international season will get under way.