23/11/01
Outstanding Perth rower Joanna Lutz has been awarded the 2001 Smoke Free Western Australian Sportswoman of the Year following her dual gold medal winning performances at the World Rowing Championships in Lucerne Switzerland earlier this year.
The 21-year-old was a member of the Australian coxless four crew, which won gold, and 24 hours later she became a part of rowing history by being a member of the first ever Australian women's eight to win a World Championship gold medal.
Lutz, who was a WA Institute of Sport scholarship holder before being selected to attend the Australian Institute of Sport 12 months ago, is only the 10th rower in the world to ever have won two gold medals at a World Championship.
Prior to that she was a member of the Australian four that won gold at the World Cup in Munich and a member of the eight that won silver.
Other finalists in the Sportswoman of the Year Awards, conducted by Womensport West, were swimmer Jennifer Reilly, Lutz's fellow crew member in the eight, Rebecca Sattin, Karate exponent Kellie Shimmings, Gymnast Alana Slater, surfer Melanie Redman and cyclist Lyn Lepore.
Lutz was presented with her award by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Alan Carpenter, at a dinner at the Novatel Langley Hotel on Friday night.
"To win one gold medal at World Championship level is a wonderful achievement but to back that up just 24 hours later with the first ever gold medal by an Australian eight is an indication of Joanna's class," Mr Carpenter said.
"It shows how quickly she has developed into a world class rower.
"Her dedication and skill is a wonderful example to others and confirms the faith we have in the WA Institute of Sport in assisting young athletes to reach world class status."
Slater (17), who in November 2000 became the first Australian gymnast to reach the finals of a World Cup, winning a sliver medal on the bars, was voted 2001 Mazda Junior Sportswoman of the Year. At the World Cup Invitation she won gold in all round championships, gold on bars and silver on floor.
Slater's coach Jo Richards won the 2001 Goundrey Wines Coach of the Year award.
Melissa Bryant and Martha Leonard, who won a gold medal sailing 420s at the Youth Yachting Championships in France, won the 2001 Smoke Free WA Team of the Year.
Croquet player Helene Thurston was awarded the Wendy Ey Masters Award for the second consecutive year.
Jockey Alana Sansom won the President's Award.
Mark Reddings of Channel 9 won the Department of Sport and Recreation Media Award.
(Joanna Lutz formerly lived in Cottesloe.)
Media contact: Owen Cole 9213 6806
