Click photo to enlarge
Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks tries on shoes to complement
the Tanya Carlson dress she will wear to the Halberg Awards
in Auckland tonight. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
When champion Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks appears at
the Halberg Awards in Auckland tonight, she will be be
promoting her home city's fashion, too.
Shanks (26), one of four finalists in the New Zealand
sportswoman of the year category, will be wearing a cocktail
dress lent by designer Tanya Carlson.
More accustomed to wearing Lycra for gruelling training
sessions and sporting events, Shanks yesterday said she
enjoyed dressing up for weddings and special occasions, often
wearing clothes sewn by her mother, Kay.
Contemplating the black-tie Halberg awards, she felt she
should wear a Dunedin-designed garment and approached Ms
Carlson.
"I thought it would be cool to represent Dunedin.
"And I knew Tanya and I had both been pupils at Queens High
School, although I did not know her then, as she is a few
years older."
Offered a choice of five dresses, Shanks said she immediately
knew a printed silk strapless dress with boned bodice and
berry-coloured sash was "the one".
"It must have been meant to be, as it fitted perfectly."
The Halberg Awards recognise outstanding sporting achievement
during the previous year.
After recording a fourth place in the Beijing Olympics in
2008, Shanks topped that in March by winning the individual
pursuit world title in Poland.
Asked whether she might win tonight, Shanks, who is up
against Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Valerie Vili (athletics)
and Sarah Walker (BMX cycling), said she was not sure.
"All of us are world champions and Valerie Vili has had an
amazing year.
"She is unbeaten."
