By SUZANNE McFADDEN
They are both 24, and world champions in the water.
Above the waves rower Rob Waddell conquered all, last night named New Zealand's sportsperson of 1999.
But winning the title two years in a row still could not beat the underwater feats of Danyon Loader for the crown of sports star of the decade.
Loader, the double golden boy of the pool in the 1996 Olympics, was last night recognised as the champion of the nineties.
He out-kicked stars like Sir Peter Blake and Team New Zealand and double rowing champion Philippa Baker for the honour.
The Sydney Olympics are on the horizon for both Loader and Waddell, but the rower and the swimmer are taking very different approaches.
Since winning his gold medals in the 200m and 400m freestyle in Atlanta, Loader has led a more quiet life in the pool.
He has moved from his hometown Dunedin to Christchurch, and lately has had another stint in the Territorial Army.
Loader must swim at the national championships in Auckland at the end of this month to to qualify for the Olympics in September.
Waddell, on the other hand, has hardly rested his oars since retaining his world single sculls title in St Catharine's, Canada, last August.
In that final, Waddell crushed the field setting a blistering world record time as he went.
Waddell is the first back-to-back winner since John Walker won in 1975 and '76 for his world mile record and Olympic 1500m gold.
Other double winners have been Yvette Williams (1950 and '52), Sir Bob Charles (1954 and '63), Peter Snell (1960 and '64), the New Zealand rowing eight (1971 and '72), Ivan Mauger (1977 and '79), Sir Richard Hadlee (1980 and '86) and Philippa Baker (1991 and '94).
Although he won the Halberg Award last year, it was the first time Waddell got to accept the trophy. He missed last year's awards ceremony, because he was competing in the nationals in Twizel.
World boardsailing champion Barbara Kendall was once again voted sportswoman of the year - as she was for 1998 - but for a third time missed out on the overall honour. Kendall is rated one of New Zealand's top medal chances in Sydney, after winning the Olympic dress rehearsals for two years running.
Waddell's coach Richard Tonks, was also recognised for his efforts, named coach of the year.
The award for the top team of 1999 went to New Zealand cricket's Black Caps, who reached the semifinals of the World Cup in England, and thrashed the West Indies in a home series.
New Zealand cricket president Iain Gallaway, a former cricket and rugby broadcaster, was honoured with the New Zealand Herald award for Service to Sport, while Warriors scrumhalf Stacey Jones received the Fair Play award.
Awards: Waddell's hot streak continues
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