Dixon and Biddle nominated for Halberg Awards

Dixon and Biddle nominated for Halbergs

Two motorsport competitors are among the 63 nominations announced today in six categories at the 53rd Halberg Awards.

Scott Dixon’s 2015 performances, which not only delivered his fourth IndyCar title but also a second Daytona 24 Hours sports car victory, have earned him a place among the 13 nominations for the High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year award.

Motorcycle racing has also gained recognition with Aucklander Avalon Biddle, 23, among the 10 nominations for the High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year category.

After clinching the 2015 New Zealand Superlites title in March, Biddle (above) raced in Europe and became the inaugural winner of the FIM Women’s European Championship raced as part of the European Junior Cup on identical Honda CBR650F machines. She won six of the eight rounds in the series which supported World Superbike events.

There are 27 different sports represented in the nominations received from national sports organisations and an independent voting academy.

Current IndyCar champion Scott Dixon.

Nominations now go to the Halberg Awards judges which includes former athletes, coaches and sports journalists. The judges will review the achievements submitted to decide the finalists which will be announced in early January 2016. Performances by athletes or teams that take place up until December 31 2015 are open to nomination.

Ten awards are presented at the 53rd Halberg Awards which will be held on Thursday February 18 at Vector Arena in Auckland and televised live on Sky Sport.

Other award categories presented on the night are; New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment (public vote category), Sport New Zealand Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award. Inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame will also be made at the event.