Reply to: Sports Personality of the Year

[Mordac]

So the good old British public went for the fittest bird on the list.

Well, I would, anyway. (Not if Tindall was there, though, I hasten to add...)

[DaveB]

Please tell me you are joking? Bravery?

She was born with a silver spoon in every orafice. What exactly has she had to do.

I'm very good mates with Dave Phelps who won Gold @ Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He worked in a Tesco ffs and had to pay his way as did 95% of the athletes out there.

Eventing is a hideously expensive sport at the top level, and not much cheaper lower down the scale, I know, I used to do it to county level.

It's bloody dangerous and bloody hard work. Your riding the best part of half a ton of gee'd up animal that has a mind of it's own and doesnt always agree with you on the best way to go or even if it wants go at all and all of that at around 30-35 miles an hour. Start jumping some *big* fences on the way and you'll either cack yourself or finish with a huge grin on your face depending on your mentality

Zara Philips is sponsored by Land Rover for a very large sum of money all of which is used to enable her to actually compete at the top level. Very few individuals can afford to do with their own money, Royal or not, and the returns are not good even if you win consistantly.

The only reason Land Rover do sponsor her is beacuase she is good. If she wasn't they would'nt and she would not be competeing at all.

[wendigo100]

Oh dear!

Did you see the thunderous look on Darren Clarke's face though?

Do you watch much golf? He always looks thunderous!

And being in a non-smoking studio won't have helped.

[Alf W]

Oh dear!

Did you see the thunderous look on Darren Clarke's face though?

[Mailman]

it probably has more to do with the good old english knocking machine in action. Because she is rich means she cant possibly be any good at anything!

And as for that tweddle chick, she has te awesome body. Surely that makes up a lot for what the face lacks?

Mailman

[Zippy]

Please tell me you are joking? Bravery?

She was born with a silver spoon in every orafice. What exactly has she had to do.

I'm very good mates with Dave Phelps who won Gold @ Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He worked in a Tesco ffs and had to pay his way as did 95% of the athletes out there.

She was born into money but as far as I am aware that doesn't make you any good and it doesn't prevent you being killed if a sodding great big horse goes arse over tip and lands on you - its happened to quite a few. I know something about her sport and know how skilled, athletic and focused you have to be just to stay on the buggers never mind being a world champion (saying that, it's the best fun you can have with your clothes on ).

Trust me the lady is brilliant. Or are you saying that being rich means you have to be rubbish? Several of the lads and lasses on this board may disagree with you

I know that there are very talented athletes that have to work 'serious' jobs to help them get to the top. I don't mean to take anything away from them and I'm not trying to denegrate their achievements, but it doesn't make them any more (or less) worthy of recognition than Zara Phillips.

[Sockpuppet]

So is Zara - and in a high-risk sport where skill and bravery are required. The girl is brilliant and gets my vote.

Please tell me you are joking? Bravery?

She was born with a silver spoon in every orafice. What exactly has she had to do.

I'm very good mates with Dave Phelps who won Gold @ Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He worked in a Tesco ffs and had to pay his way as did 95% of the athletes out there.

[wendigo100]

Beth Tweddle. She's a world champion at something Brits find notoriously hard to compete in.

BTW why isn't Beckham in the list? I thought it was a rule.

[zathras]

Jenson button gets my vote. Not least for the way he won his first victory. Coming from 14th to win in a sport notorious for being difficult for someone to do it.

[SallyAnne]

Shows what a great year it has been for British sport eh?

Where's Dwight Yorke?! His knackers groping during the world cup is still fresh in my mind He deserves it!

[Paddy]

I thought you had to be 12 or something to be a top gymnast. On that basis I have no interest in seeing them in the nip!

No, legal age.

Site to dodgy will look for somthing better.Site to dodgy will look for something better.

[Zippy]

but Beth and Nicole are both world champions
and how about

Andy Purvis - World tiddlywinks champion
and
Bob Cooper - World rock, paper, scissors champion

the last 2 get my vote

So is Zara - and in a high-risk sport where skill and bravery are required. The girl is brilliant and gets my vote.

[BoredBloke]

I'll not be watching because it's rubbish telly.

[wendigo100]

I'm not watching in case Darren Clarke wins it (squirms).

[Sockpuppet]

I thought you had to be 12 or something to be a top gymnast. On that basis I have no interest in seeing them in the nip!

So many jokes, so little time.