I'm sure as a sports journalist in training I'm supposed to write some huge, convoluted list that goes into detail about my favourite sports moments this year. Fine. Here it is. I give you my top nine sporting moments of this year. Why nine? Because someone had to be different.
9. Black Caviar wins the Schillaci Stakes
I don't need to tell you anything about the greatness of this horse, so I won't bother. Instead, I'll explain why I chose her 14th of her 16 victories, the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes. Even though there are still horses with greater undefeated runs than Black Caviar, her passing of Phar Lap with this win seemed to cement her spot (if it somehow wasn't confirmed already) as one of the greatest Australian thoroughbreds of all time. Such a sense of Australian sporting culture revolves around the great 1930 Melbourne Cup winner, and anything mentioned in the same breath commands attention. That is my justification for picking this race, an easier race for her following six straight G1 wins.
8. Craig Alexander wins the World Ironman Championship for the third year, in record time
This will be one that passes under the radar of most of these lists across the country, so I feel that the man affectionately known as 'Crowie' deserves a spot here. This is the world's greatest single-day endurance event by miles, and Alexander's 8 hours 11 minutes and 7 seconds time is something to be beyond admired, practically worshiped. One of the quiet Australian sporting achievers.
7. Geelong win the 2011 AFL Premiership
There's nothing special as such about this win, but its more of an excuse to talk about the team itself - currently in the middle of an amazing dynasty. This team's 3rd flag in five years confirms their place in the greatest AFL sides of all time. The 119-81 win this year was thanks to the four goals of Steven Johnson, the stunning third quarter of young Tom Hawkins and the great midfield control of Norm Smith medallist Jimmy Bartel. They helped nab back an early second quarter deficit and never looked back. Any fan of the game could appreciate the show that this talented side gave us in the Grand Final, except perhaps for Collingwood fans. How long it will be until we see such a consistently well-performing side over half a decade, or beyond?
6. James Magnussen wins the 100m freestyle World Championship
Magnussen made his first big foray into our television sets when he was part of the record breaking Commonwealth Games relay team in 2010. A year later, in the waters of Shanghai, he blew us away with his win in the 100m freestyle, knocking over the likes of Brent Hayden, William Meynard as well as world record holder Cesar Cielo. Suddenly, we couldn't get enough of him, as we watched the rise of the latest national swimming icon. Just as any sort of hype started dying he bettered his time in Australia's 4x100m freestyle replay win. It seems such a shame that his London preparations are taking a large backseat to those of a well-past-it Ian Thorpe. He's our big prospect in the pool for London next year, he's the real future.
5. Casey Stoner wins his second MotoGP title
The baby-faced Aussie sportsman, Casey Stoner, made his debut in the MotoGP in 2006, where he finished 8th. The following year he had his first title. As good as those memories at Ducati were, it became clear that the team were dragging him down. So the Aussie made the switch to the Repsol Honda factory team, and boy was it ever the right move. The title was wrapped up with his fifth straight victory at Phillip Island, a feat equally impressive as a second title, perhaps greater in many people's eyes. To make such a mark while at home is something special. It's highly likely his successes will continue into the future with such a strong team behind him.
4. Sally Pearson wins the 100m hurdles World Championship
It's fair to say we all had high hopes for Sally Pearson heading over to South Korea for the World Athletics Championship. Her lovable attitude on the track came to life for the public to see when she went completely bonkers at winning the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in utter disbelief at her amazing result. She won even more fans in the 2010 Commonwealth Games by winning the 100m sprint, then being disqualified in a protest for her false start. It all came together for her at Daegu this year, become world champion in hurdls with the fourth fastest time in history. Oh, and being named World Female Athlete of the Year? Not bad either. Cathy Freeman was the Olympic event the nation stopped to watch in Sydney 2000, in London 2012 I'd argue Sally will be the one to stop us once more.
3. Dunaden wins the Melbourne Cup in the closest finish the event's history
I'm so glad I was at Flemington to witness this. With photo technology improving more and more as the years go by, I feel I won't ever see a more uncertain finish. With under 100 metres to go, Red Cadeux and Dunaden pushed ahead of the field, going stride for stride before hitting the line together. I can't describe the air of uncertainty that floated around the grandstand and the sprawling crowd below, and the huge gasp that echoed following the replay on the giant screen. Money can't buy that finish and that tense atmopshere. I'm interested to see how much public interest will be taken in next year's Geelong Cup, seeing as the last two Melbourne Cup winners won there.
2. Samantha Stosur becomes the first Australian woman in 21 years to win a singles Grand Slam
Stosur has always enjoyed the extra bounce on the hard courts and the clay courts, and almost won a slam last year on the latter surface. She went one better at Flushing Meadows on the former to become the first Aussie woman to carry a piece of singles silverware back home since Evonne Goolagong Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980. It's probably fair to say she is a more popular figure than Australia's last Grand Slam winner in Lleyton Hewitt, with her quiet on-court demeanor and determined style of play. Women's tennis in the country looks stronger than ever going into 2012.
1. Cadel Evans becomes the first Australian to win the Tour de France
This choice is a no-brainer. Winning the world's most grueling yet beautiful endurance event? Pretty stunning. Being the first in the country? Inspiring. Evans has surely inspired so many youngsters to get a pair of wheels beneath them and follow in his footsteps. The BMC rider came back better than ever this year, and with the weight of the world championship jersey off his shoulders, his f. He conquered the mountains in the Tour to wear the yellow jersey once more, but this time he kept it until Paris. With the creation of the new GreenEDGE cycling team, Australian cycling in 2012 is shaping up to be a memorable one.
No comments:
Post a Comment