British Triathlon Awards winners announced

In an evening aimed at celebrating an outstanding summer of success for British Triathlon, Alistair Brownlee was named 2009 Olympic Athlete of the Year and British Triathlon Male Athlete of the Year.



The prestigious awards rounded off an exceptional season for the Yorkshire athlete who was triumphant at five Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series races and crowned World Champion on Australia’s Gold Coast in September.



The 21 year old commented after receiving his award at the British Triathlon Annual Awards Dinner held on Saturday 14 November: “It’s fantastic; it’s great to win all these awards.”



When asked about his plans for 2010 Alistair was keen not to rest on his laurels adding: “[I want to] win the European Championships, it’s one thing I didn’t manage to win this year. That would be great [and I would like to] carry on getting experience and build up, on the road to 2012.”



Andy Hunt, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association, “Alistair Brownlee has had an incredible season, winning five ITU World Championship Series races and ultimately the World Championship title. His attitude and commitment to the sport is inspiring. With no fewer than four medals, including two World Champions from the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Australia, the future of triathlon looks bright in the run up to London 2012 Olympic Games.”



It was a double celebration for the Brownlee family, with younger brother and ETU Triathlon Junior European Champion Jonathan winning British Triathlon Junior Athlete of the Year. Elder brother Alistair said: “It’s fantastic for both of us, we are competing most days in training and at the end of the day it just brings us both along and makes us who we are.”



The evening also recognised triathlon’s high profile female achievers. Helen Jenkins won the British Triathlon Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in succession following four top five finishes in the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series including a bronze medal in the Grand Final and top five world ranking position.



Helen who now lives in Wales commented: “It’s great. It’s the second year I have won it, so I didn’t really expect it again. It’s nice to be recognised by the people who are in the British Triathlon Federation. It’s been a great year for triathlon [with] so many World Champions and gold medals over all disciplines - it’s a privilege to be a part of that. We all just go out there and train as hard as we can every day, and this is the good bit that’s comes after all that training. There is a good atmosphere in British triathlon at the moment in general and hopefully that will carry on.”



Hollie Avil, 19 years of age won the British Triathlon Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award, following a phenomenal season winning gold in the women’s ITU Triathlon U23 World Championships.



Hollie commented after receiving her award: “It was a big shock, but I forget I am still a Junior at 19 and it’s nice to be reminded of that when you are racing up there with the Seniors. I have just enjoyed racing at the Senior level and U23, getting more experience in the bag, and really can’t wait for the next three years up to London.”



Following the awards presentations, guests were entertained by after dinner speaker and now fellow triathlete, rowing double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.



A full list of Award winners can be found below:



British Triathlon Annual Award Winners



British Triathlon Male Elite Triathlete of the year – Alistair Brownlee

British Triathlon Female Elite Triathlete of the year – Helen Jenkins

British Triathlon Male Junior Triathlete of the year – Jonathan Brownlee

British Triathlon Female Junior Triathlete of the year – Hollie Avil

British Triathlon Male Elite Long Distance Triathlete of the year – Phil Graves

British Triathlon Female Elite Long Distance Triathlete of the year – Chrissie Wellington

British Triathlon Male Elite Duathlete of the year – Richard Hobby

British Triathlon Female Elite Duathlete of the year – Catriona Morrison

British Triathlon Club of the Year – Ful on Tri

British Triathlon Event of the Year - Deva Divas Ladies Triathlon

Corus British Triathlon Male Paratriathlete of the Year – Chris Goodwin

Corus British Triathlon Female Paratriathlete of the year – Clare Cunningham

British Triathlon Male Age Group Triathlete of the year – Nick Dunn

British Triathlon Female Age Group Triathlete of the year – Parys Edwards

Leigh Day & Co. British Triathlon Volunteer of the year – Ian Jones

Leigh Day & Co. British Triathlon Young Volunteer of the year – Caitlin Simon

Leigh Day & Co. British Triathlon Coach of the year – Rob Moore

Leigh Day & Co. British Triathlon Official of the year – Lynda Chase

Taut British Duathlon Ranking Series Overall Male Winner – Lee Piercy

Taut British Duathlon Ranking Series Overall Female Winner – Emma Dews

Taut British Triathlon Ranking Series overall Male Winner – Carl Shaw

Taut British Triathlon Ranking Series overall Female Winner – Danielle Stewart



To vote in the 220 Awards 2010, head here http://www.220triathlon.com/news/220-triathlon-awards-2010