Dame Lisa Carrington has added another accolade to her impressive collection by winning the Lonsdale Cup for the fourth time.
This prestigious award is given each year to an athlete or team who has made a remarkable contribution to Olympic or Commonwealth sports. Carrington’s achievement comes after her triumphant wins at the World Championships in 2023, where she secured three gold medals in kayak racing.
Even with this new award, Carrington remains focused on her sport. Last week, before accepting the Lonsdale Cup next to Lake Pupuke in Takapuna, she was already out on the water practicing with her teammates. The award ceremony was a simple affair by the lake, showing Carrington’s dedication to her training.
Winning the Lonsdale Cup is a significant honor, and Carrington is thrilled to see her name among other New Zealand sports legends who have received this award since it was first given in 1961. She now stands just one win behind Dame Valerie Adams, who holds the record for the most Lonsdale Cup wins.
Looking ahead, Carrington is gearing up for what could be a historic Olympic campaign for New Zealand in canoe racing. The country is on track to send its largest canoe racing team ever to the Paris Olympics, thanks in part to recent successes at the Oceania Championships, where New Zealand qualified additional spots for the Games.
