February 2001

Tigress dominates awards:

Karrie Webb went two-under at the Australian Sports Awards last night when she added Female Athlete of the Year and the inaugural Dawn Fraser Award for the Sports Personality of the Year to the feathers already in her cap.

Dubbed the Tigress for her Woods-like dominance of the LPGA Tour, Webb has described her past two years as a real-life dream.

Webb was runner-up to 1999 Female Althelet of the Year Louise Sauvage but last night stole the show at the Adelaide Convention Centre with the prestigious double.

The Dawn Fraser Sports Personality Award is considered the most prestigious of the "Golden Awards" recognising an athlete who promotes Australian culture and character.

True to form, Fraser - who hand-picked the two finalists - caused a brief stir over what, on face value, seemed an ironic choice given the criticisms levelled at Webb for lacking personality and who was recently described by Sports Illustrated as "a sourpuss".

The Olympic swimming legend has been known to champion the plight of the underdog and made a statement here last night.

There was hardly a dry eye in the room when Webb broke down on the stage to receive the Dawn Fraser Award. It was a side of Webb rarely seen in public.

"I can't even think of the words to describe this other than it's just a huge honour," Webb said.

"I thought it was a gret honour after winning Female Althelet of the Year but to win this as well is just tremendous. Dawn is just the epitome of what it means to be an Australian. I've grown up looking up to her and to win that award is so special."

Webb rarely exposes the 26 year-old woman behind the champion golfer. Nor does she display much emotion on the course.

Fraser, through this award, wants Webb to be understood - here is a shy, reluctant celebrity but a great sportsperson and person.

Other female winners:

Female Athlete of the Year Karrie Webb

The Dawn Fraser Award Karrie Webb

Junior Female Athlete of the Year Lauren Jackson (Basketball)

Junior Team of the Year Australian U/21 Netball Team

Executive of the Year Lois Appleby (Paralympics)

Media Person of the Year Karen Tighe (ABC)

14 February 2001
Freeman's Honour:
Olympic track champion Cathy Freeman collected two awards and a standing ovation at the ninth annual Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly awards function. Freeman won for her performance at the Olympics and also received a courage and humanitarian award named after the late Arthur Ashe.

Mauresmo on rise:
Amelie Mauresmo jumped five places to NO. 14 in the WTA world rankings after claiming her first title in 13 months wiht a 7-6 6-1 win over Germany's Anke Huber in the Paris Open indoor final at the weekend.

13 February 2001

Karrie, Cathy in the running:
Australian athlete Cathy Freeman and golfer Karrie Webb are each up for two prestigious sprts awards in the United States today.

Freeman, the 400m gold medal winner at the Sydney Olympics in September, is one of four nominees in the most memorable sporting moment of 2000 category and women's track and field athlete of the year.

Webb, who broke all records on her way to the No 1 ranking and world supremacy in women's golf, stands to win the famle athlete of the year and women's golfer of the year.

Freeman and Webb compete in the annual ESPY awards, which honour Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly.

Athletes from all sports, from all countries, can be nominated in the 30 categories.