She’ll be out of the mud and into a ballgown as she walks the red carpet this week, but BMX champion Sarah Walker can’t bear to abandon all her tomboyish qualities for the night. Sarah’s prepared to wear makeup and a full-length ballgown for the Westpac Halberg Awards, but the 21-year-old draws the line at wearing high heels.

“I’m going to wear matching Nikes instead,” she reveals exclusively to New Zealand Woman’s Weekly. Sarah has been nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award, along with shotputter Valerie Vili, swimmer Sophie Pascoe and cyclist Alison Shanks.

Sponsored by Nike, the 21-year-old has her pick of the brand’s sportswear – she just provides product numbers and the items turn up at her front door in Cambridge – but trying to find a formal dress to wear on the red carpet is definitely not Sarah’s idea of fun. Even her school ball was a casual affair. “In summer, I wear sports bras, singlets and shorts. In winter, it’s just trackpants and a T-shirt,” she explains.

Knowing that shopping is Sarah’s least favourite pastime, Weekly Fashion Editor Virginia Brown stepped in to help direct Sarah’s shopping spree with a $1000 pre-paid card from Westpac. “It was exhausting,” Sarah sighs. “I can’t imagine shopping for fun.”

After spending hours in Auckland fashion boutiques, trying on dresses – including the gorgeous blue one in our photos – Sarah finally settled on a red Adrienne Winkelmann gown, which is being custom-fitted for her. The backless frock will give Sarah the chance to show off her new tattoo of the Olympic rings she recently had inked on her back. The design commemorates her fourth placing at the 2008 Beijing Games in the BMX women’s event.

“It took me ages to decide to get it. Growing up, I never thought of getting a tattoo because it will be there forever, but the Olympics was something that really meant a lot to me. Ever since I was eight years old, it was my dream to go to the Games – and it proves that dreams can come true.”

Sarah, who has suffered numerous injuries during her extreme sports career, says getting the tattoo wasn’t as painful as she expected. “It turns out I’ve had a lot of pain in my life!” she laughs.

The currently single athlete will be taking her mum to the awards, which screen live on SKY Sport 1 and Prime on 4 February. “This is my second nomination and it does make a nice change to dress up every now and then,” she smiles.