Hollie Avil Short-listed for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year
Sunday, 18th November 2007
British Triathlon's European and World Junior Champion, Hollie Avil, has been short-listed for the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award along with nine other junior sporting prodigies. At just 17 years old, Hollie has dominated the Junior racing scene; and her opposition should be worried - she has another three years in the age group!
Hollie Avil: A Year in Pictures
Profile:
Name: Hollie Avil
DOB: 12 April 1990
From: Northampton, England
Coach: Ben Bright
Interview:
How did you get in to triathlon: I have been a competitive swimmer and runner for over six years, in 2005 I simply decided to give something new a go for a challenge.
What would you do if you weren't a triathlete: I'd probably try and pursue another sport such as running or netball.
What's the best bit of being a triathlete: Never getting bored.
Worst bit of being a triathlete: The short racing season.
What's the best advice you've ever received: Hard work will always conquer talent.
What's on your iPod: A real mixture of stuff! A lot off feel good songs that are great to listen to when training.
Who is your sporting hero: Ian Thorpe.
Motto in Life/Words to live by: Live everyday like it's your last!
Words of wisdom: It's not the training you put in it's what you put into the training.
Goals: To compete and win a medal at an Olympic Games.
Favourites:
Food: Pasta, fish, chocolate and fruit.
Drink: Pineapple juice.
Book: The Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole.
Movie: Forest Gump and Love Actually.
TV Show: Friends, Will and Grace and Hollyoaks.
Hobbies: Shopping, holidaying, music, cooking.
2007 Results:
1st ITU Junior Triathlon World Championships, Hamburg
1st ETU Junior Triathlon European Championships, Copenhagen
1st Corus Elite Series, Strathclyde Park, Glasgow
2nd Corus Elite Series, Hyde Park, London
3rd French Grand Prix Triathlon, Dunkerque
3rd French Grand Prix Triathlon, Lorient
5th French Grand Prix Triathlon, Sables DOlonne
7th Under 20 British Woman at 3000m 9mins 33secs
Other 2007 Award Achievements:
British Triathlon Female Elite Triathlete of the Year
British Olympic Association Elite Triathlete of the Year
Northamptonshire Young Female Sports Achiever
Northampton Local Sportswoman of the Year Award
Short-listed for Sunday Times Young Sportswoman of the Year
The Competition:
George Atkins, Cycling
Thomas Daley, Diving
Paul Drinkhall, Table Tennis
James Harris, Cricket
Sandra Hyslop, Canoeing/Kayaking
Asha Philip, Athletics
Bradley Smith, Moto GP
Claire Warne, Disability Swimming
Michael White, Snooker
The Decision Making Process:
1) The British Triathlon Federation submitted Hollies nomination in October.
2) A YSPOTY judging panel, which included John Inverdale and representatives from Blue Peter, Sportsround and the Youth Sport Trust met to choose the top 10 contenders on November 2nd.
3) The BBC YSPOTY crew filmed Hollie on Friday 9th November for a feature to be placed on the BBC Sport website.
4) The panel reconvenes on 19th November to select the top three and the winner. The top three will feature on Sportsround and Blue Peter.
5) The top three will be invited to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on 9th December where the winner will be announced at the live event on BBC television.
Source: British Triathlon
More info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/yspoty/hollie-avil.shtml