Hall honoured to be named as athlete of the year

A brilliant year on the snow for Para Alpine skier Adam Hall was rewarded as he took the title of Snow Sports New Zealand athlete of the year. Photo: Sean Nugent

Para Alpine skier Adam Hall was named athlete of the year at the Snow Sports New Zealand annual awards night at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Saturday.

Hall claimed a gold medal in slalom and a bronze in super combined at his fourth Paralympic Winter Games in February, At the end of the Games, Hall was bestowed with a prestigious honour when he was announced as winner of the Whang Yuon Dai Achievement Award, presented to one male and one female Paralympian at each Games who best exemplify the spirit of the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic values.

A gold and silver medal in world cup events before the Games also contributed to his brilliant year on the snow.

Hall said he was honoured to take home top honours in what was an extremely competitive field that included Olympic bronze medallists Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott.

"To win this award really does rank up there with the Paralympic medals. It’s amazing to have this recognition."

"When I first started this gig, [Nico and Zoi] were probably still in nappies which is pretty crazy."

It has been a successful year for Snow Sports New Zealand, notably the record-breaking performances in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Hall hoped his efforts and those of his peers would help increase the popularity of snow sports in the country to the point where they ranked with the All Blacks.

"I think it’s heading in that direction."