sorry cricket fans...

[carolfoy]

... but Ellen Macarthur was robbed last night, she deserves sports personality of the year just for whooping the butts off the guys in 'star in a reasonably priced car' on Top Gear not to mention her numerous other solo achievements.

 

[Clare D]

Hi Carol
It was obvious that Freddie Flintoff was going to win. I think he will get the opportunity to repeat his achievments where as Ellen won't do as I'm sure she isn't likely to risk life and limb again just to win the sports personality of the year!
Her dad was my teacher at school so I always have this loyality towards her and she is a Derbyshire gal like me.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I am a cricket fan but think Ellen should have won it too...actually thought the programme was a disgrace, some of the so-called quips by Lineker and Barker were just not funny at all...the one about Charlotte Chruch/Gavin Henson was just plain insulting.

 

[tim june and sam]

Ready for an incredulous gasp and much argument?

The real reason that Ellen MacArthur didn't win is that she is not an interesting personality - FF is (& I'm no cricket fan). Focussed and single minded sportswoman, yes, but personality no. I mean, have you seen the TV advert for the Derbyshire BS?

Discuss.

 

[Kernow_Clan]

I agree that Freddie was a shoe-in, I did vote for him online, but voted for Steven Gerrard on the night.

Ellen deservedly got second, after all, did she galvanize a whole country for 7 weeks?? No, most of the public where only interested as she approached the finish line. HOWEVER I am NOT denegrating her achievement - she has written her place in history, and deservedly so. I for one would not have the bottle to do what she did.

I have to disagree with the comment regarding Charlotte / Gavin, it made me laugh - and I adore CC perhaps a sense of humour injection is required????

I for one am chuffed that the BBC is leading a backlash against the PC crowd.the sooner "Politcial Correctness" is consigned to the rubbish bin the better.

 

[floridalol]

Ready for an incredulous gasp and much argument?

The real reason that Ellen MacArthur didn't win is that she is not an interesting personality - FF is (& I'm no cricket fan). Focussed and single minded sportswoman, yes, but personality no. I mean, have you seen the TV advert for the Derbyshire BS?

Discuss.

I agree. I can also offer the argument that sailing is not a sport but a pastime. I also maintain that she did not sail around the world, she sailed down to the Antarctic, sailed around it and returned the same way, that is not circumnavigating the globe. Having said this she was incredibly brave and achieved something most would not be able to do but sports personaility she is not.

Freddie Flintoff shouldn't have won it either, it should have gone to Chelsea's Frank Lampard

 

[UKDEB]

I agree - it's 'Sports Personality of the Year', not 'Achiever'. And, of course, it's a public vote so it's a popularity contest above all else. In any case I'm always a bit bemused at the whole hero status afforded to those who accomplish solo feats - all seems a bit self-indulgent and pointless to me.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

In any case I'm always a bit bemused at the whole hero status afforded to those who accomplish solo feats - all seems a bit self-indulgent and pointless to me.

Hmmm.... not sure about that Deb. What about Matt's single handed attempt on the 'Most Hooters visited on one trip' record? A comendable effort surely?

Kev

 

[UKDEB]

True. And the (successful) attempt to drink Castaway Cay dry also springs to mind, but he had some willing accomplices there, so I guess that doesn't count.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Knowing full well I'll get flamed - perhaps I could just point something out.

The votes were for SPORTS personality of the year.

Sailing a boat around the world (single handed or not, well done and all that) - is not a SPORT, it's an accomplishment, a real achievement, but surely not a sport??

We live in an area where people worship the ground she walks on, we can see her 'home town' over on the Isle of Wight from our house - race sailing is a sport, but even the devoted yachtees around here agree she was an odd chocie for 'sports personality of the year'.

The real stars of the evening were Pele, who didn't stop smiling - and Linekers ears, they were at their best