Two Hampshire sports stars have been nominated for 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Hook golfer Justin Rose, who finally won his first Major Championship at the age of 32, is nominated for Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, while four-time British Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie is nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award as a member of Oracle Team USA which won the America’s Cup in September in one of the most amazing fightbacks in the history of sport.
The US yacht was 8-1 down in the series in San Francisco Bay, just one point from defeat, but driven on by skipper Jimmy Spithill and guided by tactician Ainslie, they rallied to produce a run of eight straight wins for a 9-8 victory over Emirates Team New Zealand.
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year nominees
Afghanistan Cricket Team – learned cricket in refugee camps, in 2013 reached first World Cup finals
Marc Márquez (Spain) Motor Cycling – youngest ever MotoGP world champion, at 20 years 266 days
Raphael Holzdeppe (Germany) Athletics – won Germany’s first World Championship pole vault gold Nairo
Quintana (Colombia) Cycling – first Tour de France rookie to finish on the podium since 1996
Justin Rose (UK) Golf – won his first Major Championship at US Open, at the age of 32
Adam Scott (Australia) Golf – first Australian winner in the 77-year history of US Masters
Laureus World Comeback of the Year nominees
Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) Athletics – won pole vault world title in front of home Russian crowd
Rafael Nadal (Spain) Tennis – winner of French Open, US Open and five ATP Masters event
Oracle Team USA - Sailing – 8-1 down in America’s Cup, Oracle fought back for a remarkable 9-8 victory
Tony Parker (France) Basketball – European Championship MVP after recovering from serious eye injury
Ronaldinho (Brazil) Football – at 33, led unfashionable Atlético Mineiro to victory in Copa Libertadores
Tiger Woods (US) Golf – US PGA Player of the Year after five tour victories, regained world No 1 ranking
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