Hester wins the TV battle of Olympians

CARL HESTER capped an unforgettable 2012 as he was crowned CI Sports Personality of the Year last night at Beau Sejour.

The Olympic gold medallist dressage rider received 41% of the 3,740 votes cast to come out on top of the public poll by 500 clear votes from Jersey's Wales international footballer Jodie Botterill, Sarnian tennis starlet Heather Watson and the other Guernsey Olympian, marathon man Lee Merrien.

'That was more nerve-racking than waiting for my score at the Olympics,' said Hester over a telephone link during the live broadcast on ITV Channel, adding it was 'a complete honour' to win the award.

There was Sarnian success in the Clydesdale Bank International Team of the Year award as Guernsey FC gain recognition for their 2011-12 double-winning season as well as their impressive start to life in the CCL Premier Division and ongoing run in their inaugural FA Vase campaign.

CI Sports Awards 2012

Sports Personality of the Year: Carl Hester

NatWest Rising Star: Stanley Livingston

Clydesdale Bank International Team of the Year: Guernsey FC

Cenkos Coach: Linda Andrews

Aurigny Junior Team: Victoria College Prep football team

Michael Lucas Sporting Hero: Mitch Agnelli

Judges Award for Achievement: Jersey Rugby Club for winning promotion to the Championship