The sporting year has been loaded with its usual mix of ups and downs. What stood out in both categories? Herald sports staff nominate their favourite high point and low spot of 2003.
CHRIS RATTUE
Highlight
The Rugby World Cup. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but the Ockers handled the event brilliantly.
Australians
got behind the tournament, and their stadiums are magnificent, particularly Suncorp in Brisbane.
The event showed up how behind-the-times New Zealand has become, especially Auckland, where a motley bunch of stadiums are a millstone around the neck.
It would be nice to think Australia's World Cup will stir Auckland into action, but don't hold your breath.
Lowlight
Dishonour in defeat.
First, Team New Zealand's surrender in the America's Cup. After the great campaigns of the past, it was a sad way to lose a hard-won trophy.
At times it was almost funny. How could a sport that involved millions of dollars end up with the defenders bailing out their vessel with a bucket you could get from the $2 Shop?
And secondly, the New Zealand Rugby Union's indecent haste in bagging John Mitchell's World Cup campaign. The man who had put trophies back in the NZRFU's cabinet was treated with bizarre disrespect.
PETER JESSUP
Highlight
The Kiwis' 30-16 victory over the Kangaroos in the 100th test between the rivals, at North Harbour Stadium in October.
It doesn't happen often, which makes victory that much sweeter.
A brilliant team effort, with inspirational leadership from Ruben Wiki. It also helped to make up for that disastrous loss in Sydney earlier in the year.
Lowlight
Possum Bourne's death. He was such a nice guy, the true humble Kiwi working with No 8 wire to make a go of it on the world stage.
A real tragedy.
JULIE ASH
Highlight
The Silver Ferns' 49-47 win over Australia in the final of the world netball championship in Jamaica.
The New Zealanders finally managed to wrest the silverware off their transtasman cousins in an epic battle that brought the nation to a standstill.
Their success was the result of sheer determination, a complete team effort and thorough preparation.
A close second would have to be Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell's defence of their double sculls title at the world rowing championships.
The twins blitzed main rivals Germany and Russia, setting themselves up as gold-medal favourites for next year's Olympic Games.
Lowlight
Team New Zealand's 5-0 loss to Alinghi in the America's Cup.
While it was always going to be a big ask to topple the highly experienced Swiss crew, the most disappointing aspect of the regatta was the failure of race boat NZL82.
From the near-sinking in race one, to the mast collapsing in race four and the spinnaker pole breaking in race five, it was a black campaign for the black boat.
TERRY MADDAFORD
Highlight
Too hard to choose just one. So, wheels and water.
From Lance Armstrong's fifth successive Tour de France victory to Scott Dixon's outstanding Indy Racing League win, to Wade Cunningham's karting world title.
And on the water, the Evers-Swindells again and Ben Fouhy's charge to lead Kiwi kayaking's renaissance at the world championships.
Lowlight
The World Cup, what else? One can never forgive Murray McCaw and David Rutherford for losing the co-hosting rights, which in turn led to having to play a semifinal at "their" place.
How different it might have been at Eden Park.
RICHARD BOOCK
Highlight
Stephen Fleming's unbeaten 134 against South Africa during the crucial Cricket World Cup pool match in February, an innings that pushed New Zealand through to the second round at a time when their form had been unconvincing.
Chasing South Africa's intimidating 306 for six, New Zealand won by nine wickets on a Duckworth-Lewis countback after Fleming steered the side through to 229 for one in the 37th over, reserving special treatment for pacemen Allan Donald, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener.
The New Zealand skipper reached his fourth century in one-day internationals off 109 balls, and played a major hand in what was - eventually - the result that left the host nation teetering on the brink of elimination.
Lowlight
The shock death of 22-year-old New Zealand women's cricketer Frances King.
The darling of the Wellington provincial team and the White Ferns' one-day side, King died on September 11 after being struck down with meningococcal meningitis, leaving distraught friends, family and team-mates.
Virtually a certainty to have toured India later in the year, the right-arm seamer made her debut for the White Ferns in last year's Rosebowl Series against Australia, and at the time of her death had played 15 one-day internationals and had taken 21 wickets at 19.23.
DAVID LEGGAT
Highlight
The usual suspects all appeal: the rowing twins, Scott Dixon, the Silver Ferns, the Warriors' NRL playoff win over the Bulldogs.
But for a sheer hold-onto-your-hat moment, look overseas. It's hard to beat then-unknown American golfer Shaun Micheel's approach shot to the 18th hole in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, New York.
From an awkward lie nearly 200m from the pin, he banged his ball to within 5cm of the hole, nailing an improbable victory and completing a year of four first-time major winners.
Lowlight
The death of Possum Bourne. New Zealand motorsport lost it's best-loved and most identifiable figure, and a young family lost their husband and father.
A nice guy who had the gift of appealing to all.
The sporting year has been loaded with its usual mix of ups and downs. What stood out in both categories? Herald sports staff nominate their favourite high point and low spot of 2003.
CHRIS RATTUE
Highlight
The Rugby World Cup. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but the Ockers handled the event brilliantly.
Australians
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