Olympian Lisa Carrington and partner Michael Buck arrive at the 54th Halberg Awards at Vector Arena, Auckland. Photo/file
It's fair to say Bay athletes cleaned up at the Halberg Awards - yet afterwards they were as humble as ever.
Lisa Carrington picked up sportswoman of the year to go along with her Supreme Halberg award.
Mahe Drysdale won sportsman of the year and sailing duo Peter Burling and Blair Tuke snapped up team of the year.
After the event Lisa Carrington said it was amazing to be a part of the history of the other names inscribed on the trophies she won.
She never expected to win, and said it had been an incredible year for all the athletes, "so everyone is quite deserving."
Though she had gold and bronze Olympic medals in canoe sprint and won two of the highest national sporting awards, Ms Carrington said she was determined to continue pushing and challenging herself.
"It's really hard to stay at the top and keep forging new boundaries but that's what I like doing. I'm lucky I have people like Gordon [Walker] on my team to point out areas I need to get better in," she said.
Walker, was the recipient of the coach of the year award.
Mahe Drysdale could not be reached before this article went to print.
Peter Burling said he thought the judges would have had a tough time deciding between the finalists for team of the year.
"It's been an amazing year, and it's not why we do it, but it's pretty special to be recognised like this."
Mr Burling said it was great to catch up with friends and fellow athletes he had not seen for awhile.
His advice to aspiring athletes was to make sure you enjoy what you do and just have fun with it.
Despite just winning elite sporting accolades the athletes did not stay up late celebrating - it was back in the water for training the next day.
Mr Burling is heading to Bermuda in June for the America's Cup.
Dave Clarke, Sport Bay of Plenty's coaching and development team leader, said the awards haul further proved the Bay's rich history of producing great athletes.
As an outdoor playground with a decent climate the Bay was a great starting point for kids to develop skills.
"The passion for sport here is huge. Seeing those athletes, who have grown up and developed their sport in this region, shows young athletes that becoming gold medallists and world champions is absolutely possible for them."
Mr Clarke said the Bay had great systems in place to churn out coaches to develop athletes and a massive number of volunteers who put time and effort into sports which allowed athletes to move on and become incredibly successful.
Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless said the winners and finalists made great role models.
"They're all good sport people, people who, win or lose, have a great decency about them.
"Not that they lose much."
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