Article Written by Aaron Kirby | The West Australia
Record-setting rower Annabelle McIntyre could become just the second athlete from the discipline to take home the WA Sports Star of the Year award after an incredible 2023, while Matt Wearn could become the first sailor to earn the honour.
The West Australian can reveal the pair are both finalists for the SportWest WA Sports Star of the Year award — alongside Minjee and Min Woo Lee as well as Courtney Bruce and Jai Hindley — which recognises the outstanding and highest achievement of an individual from Western Australia.
Previous winners include Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins (2005), Olympic pole vault hero Steve Hooker (2008, 2009) and basketballer Luc Longley (1996, 1997). The 12 finalists for the WA Sports Star are revealed ahead of the awards night on February 29, 2024, with McIntyre and Wearn the third duo to be unveiled.
Annabelle McIntyre
McIntyre has literally set the standard in 2023 from the stroke seat of the Australian Women’s Coxless Pair.
Alongside crewmate Jess Morrison, she went almost undefeated for the entire year after setting the fastest time in the world.
Their incredible form and power saw the pair take home Two World Cup wins as well as World Championship Silver, narrowly beaten by an exceptional Dutch crew.
Considering their year, they could have been forgiven for taking a well-earned rest at the completion of the international season, but instead, they returned to the water to win the prestigious Head of the Charlesregatta in Boston, USA.
They even teamed up with a pair of Americans to claim glory in the Women’s Championship Fours at a distance twice as long as they had trained for.
Matt Wearn
Olympic gold medallist Wearn fought back from an injury and illness plagued 2022 to show he has every chance of claiming back-to-back gold in Paris.
After warming into the season, the sailing star let rip, making a statement at the Paris 2024 Olympic Test event by winning gold.
He then went on to be crowned the king of the World Sailing Championships.
However, he had to do it the hard way, starting the final event in second before toppling British rival Michael Beckett.
His other notable results included finishing third at the 2023 EurILCA Senior European Championships, fourth at the Semaine Olympique Francaise De Voile and a win in Australia at the Sail Sydney Regatta.
The 2023 WA Sport Awards will be presented on Thursday, 29 February 2024 at HBF Stadium. Tickets are on sale now, purchase your ticket HERE.
For more information
Please contact SportWest Events Manager, Hannah Lawton at events@sportwest.com.au or Communications Manager Bronte Vause at brontevause@sportwest.com.au
