NZ Nominated For Laureus World Team Of Year
The New Zealand America’s Cup team — which won the coveted trophy when Bermuda hosted the event in 2017 — has been nominated for the Laureus Team of the Year award, with the sailors nominated alongside teams including NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Super Bowl champions New England Patriots, and Champions League winners Real Madrid.
The New Zealand America’s Cup Team, who sailed to glory led by skipper Glenn Ashby, have been selected by the world’s sports media as a nominee for the Laureus World Sports Awards, which take place in Monaco next month.
Emirates Team New Zealand won with a stunning 7-1 victory over defending champions Oracle Team USA in Bermuda in June.
Helmed by 26-year old Olympic gold and silver medallist Peter Burling, now the youngest winning helmsman in the history of the America’s Cup, New Zealand gained revenge against Team USA, to whom they had suffered a crushing 9-8 defeat in the 2013 America’s Cup.
Emirates Team New Zealand have been shortlisted in the Laureus World Team of the Year category alongside NBA Champions Golden State Warriors, Formula One World Champions Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Super Bowl champions New England Patriots, Champions League winners Real Madrid and tennis’ France Davis Cup Team.
Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton, said: “Emirates Team New Zealand are truly honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award alongside some other remarkable teams.
“We know the effort that went into winning the America’s Cup but what we are equally proud of is the very special group of people that came together in the true essence of the word team. Without the team there would not have been the victory.”
Sean Fitzpatrick, All Black Legend and Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “The Laureus World Team of the Year category is one of the strongest in this year’s list of Nominees. With the support of the entire country, The New Zealand America’s Cup Sailing Team showed great spirit and fight to win the greatest prize in their sport.
“It is testament to their efforts that they are now competing with the biggest football, Formula One, American football and basketball teams in the world for a prestigious global sports Award. Huge congratulations to Glenn Ashby, Peter Burling and the entire team for their well-deserved Nomination.”
The eventual winners, as voted for by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be revealed in Monaco on February 27.
