SUPERSTAR cyclist Mark Cavendish is the Isle of Man’s Sportsman of the Year for the eighth successive time.
He was named as the 2011 winner at a Gala ceremony held in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall on Thursday evening attended by more than 500 people and sponsored by the Isle of Man Bank.
Having won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December, after a memorable season in which he won the coveted green jersey in the Tour de France and the UCI World Road Race Championship, the 26-year-old was the nailed-on favourite to win the domestic title.
Cavendish also unveiled his intention to invest in young Manx sporting talent as swimmers Charlotte Atkinson and Laura Kinley and cyclist Chris Nicholson were named as the first recipients of the Cavendish Scholarships. The athletes will receive funding for the next two years.
Teenage archer Aalin George was the winner of the Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year award, sponsored by Isle of Man Bank, while TT ace Conor Cummins received the Ambassador award, sponsored by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.
The under-21 awards were both won by swimmers in light of excellent performances in the Commonwealth Youth Games. Grant Halsall, a triple medallist in the event, won the under-21 male award sponsored by Britannia and Isle of Man team-mate Charlotte Atkinson the u21 women’s award, sponsored by Manx Radio.
Team of the Year, sponsored by Mylchreests, went to Isle of Man women’s hockey squad, while the Disability Sportsperson of the Year is Peel’s Zoe Lambie for her achievements in badminton at the Special Olympics. This award was sponsored by Isle of Man Newspapers.
Administrator of the Year, sponsored by Service Tech, went to Victoria Karran of the Commonwealth Youth Games organising committee.
Bryan Sharp, who has dedicated the last 50 years to tennis received a Lifetime Achievement award, sponsored by Marsh.
Coach of the Year, sponsored by Conister, went to Jon Whiting – coach for the island women’s hockey team.
Full report and pictures in Monday’s edition of the Isle of Man Examiner.
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Did you go to the ceremony? What did you think?