HE’S plainly just too good. When the nominations for the 2007 Sportingbet Sports Personality of the Year were announced yesterday, the name of one obvious contender was missing, that of three-times world touring car champion Andy Priaulx.
And it turns out that, just like last year, both the champion driver and awards organisers CMA in conjunction with Channel TV feel it best for the ongoing success of the night that the great man steps aside.
‘As a strong supporter of the event in the past, Andy believes it is in the best interest of Channel Island sport if he doesn’t put himself forward in the sports personality category,’ said Channel’s Kevin Banner.
‘However, the event organisers believe that Andy’s achievement is of such a magnitude that it needs to be recognised and to ensure it is, there will be a special award presented that evening.
‘We are delighted Andy has agreed to be at Beau Sejour on the 24th to receive it.’
To date, Guernsey has scooped the main award four times out of five, with Dale Garland winning the inaugural trophy in 2003 and Ann Bowditch keeping it in the island a year later before Priaulx won it twice on the bounce.
Jersey transatlantic sailor Phil Sharp won the award last year and the Caesareans will hope they can do so again with strong candidates in star rugby player Matt Banahan and UK badminton champion Liz Cann.
Guernsey hopes lie in national 400m hurdles champion Garland and World Champion of Champions bowler Alison Merrien.
The award is voted for by the public and the phone lines open on 18 January, a week before the black-tie gala event at which Colin Jackson is the guest speaker.
In recognition of Guernsey’s outstanding young talent, the Sarnians outnumber Jersey three to one in the shortlist for the NatWest Rising Star category.
Tennis prospect Heather Watson, table tennis starlet Alice Loveridge and cricketer Tim Ravenscroft are all in the running for an award which carries a substantial cash bursary.
That award along with the top coach and top team one are adjudged by a panel from the CI sports media.
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