Star canoeist Lisa Carrington won her fourth-straight Sportswoman of the Year award at the Halbergs on Thursday night but there was no time to celebrate – or even accept the award – with an even bigger prize on her mind.
Instead of kicking off celebrations, Carrington has been kickstarting her Tokyo Olympics campaign at the Canoe Sprint Nationals.
It's an important weekend for the 30-year-old, with her selection for the Olympic Games riding on performances at Lake Karapiro, despite her remarkable record.
Sure enough though, the double Olympic gold medallist proved she's still got it after beating out national and international athletes to win the K1 200 metre final – her 11th national title.
It means Carrington will get a shot at going for a third-straight gold in Tokyo in five months – a prospect she admits is a lot to take in.
"There's just so much pressure," Carrington told 1 NEWS.
"It's just exciting, I think, to be going again for a third Olympics."
While Carrington is all-but-certain to be selected to race for New Zealand in her usual individual boats [K1 200m and K1 500m], she's also pushing for a spot in the team events.
"I would love to be in those boats," Carrington said.
"But we have to see who's the fastest and what are great combinations.
"I'll be working just as hard to get there."
And despite adding to her already-demanding workload, Carrington said the occasion means more to her.
"It's challenging doing one, put two in there and it's harder and then three... but I think the Olympics is nothing like anything else."
Inspiring words from a sportswoman nothing like anyone else.
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