Emirates Team New Zealand nominated for Laureus Team of the Year
by Emirates Team NZ 16 Jan 2018 14:57 PST
17 January 2018
Emirates Team New Zealand warm up ahead of the final race for the 2017 America's Cup, Berrmuda, June 26, 2017 © Richard Gladwell
Emirates Team New Zealand has been nominated by the world sports media for consideration as Laureus Team of the Year.
The three times America's Cup champion are up against several other teams including Real Madrid and Golden State Warriors. Nominees in eight Laureus categories were announced Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer and Serena Williams were also nominated
Emirates Team New Zealand won sailing’s greatest prize with a stunning 8-1 victory over defending champions Oracle Team USA in Bermuda in June.
The team has been been shortlisted in the Laureus World Team of the Year category alongside five of the biggest sports teams in the world: 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.
The eventual winners, as voted for by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be revealed in Monaco on February 27.
“Emirates Team New Zealand are truly honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award alongside some other remarkable teams," said Emirates Team NZ CEO, Grant Dalton. "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.”
“The Laureus World Team of the Year category is one of the strongest in this year’s list of Nominees," said Sean Fitzpatrick, All Black legend and Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
"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.”