December 19/06 9:22 am - Fort William World Cup Wins Scottish Sporting Event of the Year

Posted by Editor on 12/19/06
 

Fort William World Cup Wins Scottish Sporting Event of the Year

At the inaugural Sunday Mail Scottish Sports Awards dinner The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William 2006 won the Sporting Event of the Year.

Having been nominated by Sunday Mail readers the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup beat off strong competition from the two other short listed finalists in the category - The Barclay's Scottish Open (golf) and the Tiree Wave Classic (windsurfing) to win the award.

Scotland Rugby International, Chris Paterson, joined David Williams, Chief Executive of Event Scotland, to present this prestigious award to Mike Jardine and Lesley Beck from Rare Management, organisers of the Fort William World Cup events since 2002. UCI Mountain Bike Downhill Champion 2006 Tracy Moseley and Scottish downhill riders Chris Ball and Stu Thomson joined Mike and Lesley on stage to accept the award.

Mike Jardine from Rare Management, organisers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup events (2002 - 2006) and the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships 2007 at Fort William said: 'The Sunday Mail award is great recognition of the event as we start the build-up to the biggest, the most important and the best mountain bike event in the world - the World Championships - next year. It reflects the huge success of this international event, watched by more than 18,000 spectators over two days of intense and thrilling competition. Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in the 2006 World Cup. This is another award for the best workers, sponsors, partners and spectators - the team that makes it all happen!

'The 2007 World Championships are likely to be at least twice as big as the World Cup in terms of spectators and competitors, with live global TV coverage. We've got such a good team and the spectator support is so strong that I'm sure Fort William will once again deliver.'

Fort William has established itself as one of the best international mountain bike competition venues in the world with a reputation for high standards, good organisation and excellent courses and facilities. The venue is also renowned for its large, very supportive and enthusiastic crowds from all over the UK and further afield.

The Sunday Mail Scottish Sports Awards were set up in order to honour the stars and unsung heroes of Scottish sport. This year there were ten award categories from Junior Sports Personality to Disability Sports Award, Professional Team of the Year and Sporting Event of the Year.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup has been staged at the Nevis Range Ski area and Leanachan Forest near Fort William annually since 2002. In 2005 it staged the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Finals. Since 2002 the event has won eight sporting and industry awards:

The 2007 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships at Fort William
The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort William will take place between Monday 3 and Sunday 9 September 2007 at The Nevis Range ski area, Torlundy, Fort William