Guest Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Let's disqualify Andy Murray then, since he only won one Grand Slam. (And unlike Tai Woffinden, Murray isn't even World No.1) But top class tennis is a far more demanding sport than speedway. And remember Andy Murray did win several major open events during the season. Edited November 26, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 But top class tennis is a far more demanding sport than speedway. And remember Andy Murray did win several major open events during the season. Oh yes...hitting a fluffy ball over a net is far more demanding than trying to hang on to a 500cc bike with no brakes with a broken collarbone. "several major open events" ....The world famous Miami Sony open? Not sure that's several though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunty Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 I will still be very supised if he gets a spot! Fingers crossed though! Ben Anislie Ian Bell Hannah Cockcroft Mo Farah Chris Froom Are the first 5... So name 5 more worthy than Tai? And the second 5 Are! Leigh Halfpenny A P McCoy Andy Murray Christine Ohuruogu Justin Rose JOKE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvinht Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 did anyone seriously expect anything else from Auntie Beeb and her favourite sports. Its a closed shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguest Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 The BBC just lost a bit of respect Tai should have been in there!!! If a WC can't do it then none can. Speedway too far down the pecking order!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunty Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Ben Anislie Ian Bell Hannah Cockcroft Mo Farah Chris Froom Leigh Halfpenny A P McCoy Andy Murray Christine Ohuruogu Justin Rose Can understand the ones not in bold but i belive Tai Woffinden has been more of a champion than the ones in bold! Three of them were part of sucsessful TEAM and they had good perfoamces but Tai Woffinden has won a world championship that has been across europe and a bit of the world, raised alot of money from supporters of a minority sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Here are the 10 contenders who finished ahead of GP Speedway World champion Tai Woffinden. 2013 Sports Personality of the Year as announced on The One Show on BBC One:: Ben Ainslie: Ainslie was widely credited with turning around Team USA's fortunes in the America's Cup having been brought in as tactician with the hosts coming from behind to win the last eight races and pull off a remarkable come-from-behind victory. Ian Bell: The Warwickshire batsman contributed significantly to a summer of Ashes success with three centuries and his series-leading 562 runs - scored at an average of 62.44 - was 144 better than his nearest rival. Hannah Cockcroft: Having been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, Cockcroft retained both her T34 100 metres and T34 200 metres titles at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon and won the T33/T34 100 metres race at the Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium with a stadium record time of 17.80 seconds. Mo Farah: Farah continued where he left off in 2012 by winning both 5,000m and 10,000m world titles in Moscow, as well as breaking Steve Cram's 28-year-old British 1,500m record in Monaco in July. Chris Froome: May lack the broader public profile afforded his Great Britain team-mate Sir Bradley Wiggins but proved equally adept on two wheels by succeeding Wiggins as winner of the Tour de France. Leigh Halfpenny: Halfpenny played in all three Lions tests in Australia in the summer and was named as player of the series, having already been voted Six Nations player of the year as Wales retained their title. AP McCoy: The 2010 winner enjoyed another dominant year in the saddle, culminating in sealing his 4,000th career winner when his mount Mountain Tunes won at Towcester in early November. Andy Murray: Ended Great Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles Wimbledon title when he beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Centre Court, having also previously lost in the Australian Open final to Djokovic. Christine Ohuruogu: Ohuruogu bounced back from the disappointment of her silver medal in London by winning her second 400m world title in Moscow, pipping Amantle Montsho by the narrowest of margins. Justin Rose: Finally made good on his early career promise by winning the US Open at Merion, overhauling five-time major winner Phil Mickelson to become the first English winner of the event in 43 years. Edited November 26, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 The BBC just lost a bit of respect Tai should have been in there!!! If a WC can't do it then none can. Speedway too far down the pecking order!! Why should he be in there ? Speedway is hardly watch by anyone anymore bar a small group of people . I really wish people would take off there rose tinted speedway glasses off and look at the big picture . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Can't argue with Justin Rose's inclusion. He won the US Open, which is a pretty impressive thing to have on your CV. Comments page is open on the BBC website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/25017298 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC Rides Again Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 No surprises then. Maybe Tai will get a quick name-check in the "and these are some of our World Champions we haven't mentioned tonight montage". I think that this is the best we can hope for. Interestingly enough on Talk Sport this morning Colin Murray asked for suggestions for an "alternative" SPOTY for deserving sports persons who wouldn't get a look in on the official short list. He actually mentioned Tai as an example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Why should he be in there ? Speedway is hardly watch by anyone anymore bar a small group of people . I really wish people would take off there rose tinted speedway glasses off and look at the big picture . The vast majority of the viewing public, would say, "Who", if he had been included. Of course it would be nice to see him on the list, but it was never going to happen when the sport doesn't appeal to the masses.. That's the reality, simple as that! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric i Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) I do think BBC ignores speedway because of its working class image. Just look at all the other minority sports on their sports website, shooting, fencing and sailing to name a few, no mention of speedway though. Edited November 26, 2013 by eric i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Why should he be in there ? Speedway is hardly watch by anyone anymore bar a small group of people . I really wish people would take off there rose tinted speedway glasses off and look at the big picture . Overall speedway attendances each week has been estimated at around 32,000 spectators. I can remember when league matches at Wembley used to be double that figure. A phrase goes something like this "from major to minor..." Edited November 26, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 did anyone seriously expect anything else from Auntie Beeb and her favourite sports. Its a closed shop Nope. It was always an outside chance with the Beebs closed shop of toff sports like yacht sailing....But the only way the Beeb will get the message that we're not happy is if we tell them......write them an email and complain. The BBC just lost a bit of respect Tai should have been in there!!! If a WC can't do it then none can. Speedway too far down the pecking order!! If you have lost respect for the Beeb and don't agree with their choices, write and tell them. Ben Anislie Ian Bell Hannah Cockcroft Mo Farah Chris Froom Leigh Halfpenny A P McCoy Andy Murray Christine Ohuruogu Justin Rose Can understand the ones not in bold but i belive Tai Woffinden has been more of a champion than the ones in bold! Three of them were part of sucsessful TEAM and they had good perfoamces but Tai Woffinden has won a world championship that has been across europe and a bit of the world, raised alot of money from supporters of a minority sport. Write to the Beeb and tell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Nope. It was always an outside chance with the Beebs closed shop of toff sports like yacht sailing....But the only way the Beeb will get the message that we're not happy is if we tell them......write them an email and complain. If you have lost respect for the Beeb and don't agree with their choices, write and tell them. Write to the Beeb and tell them. I have tried to leave a critical message on their Website - but - it just says - awaiting Moderation. We'll just have to wait and see if they allow the 'Cons' as well as the 'Pros'. I won't hold my breath.................................. UPDATE: They allowed my contribution - so at least that is fair. Edited November 26, 2013 by The White Knight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Ore Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 It sold out weeks ago! A few more expected soon when stage sets plans have been finalised (whatever that means!) Only received my invite today so seems more seats may have been released, otherwise a waste of £840 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) I do think BBC ignores speedway because of its working class image. Just look at all the other minority sports on their sports website, shooting, fencing and sailing to name a few, no mention of speedway though. When Tai won the Title it did get a mention on the BBC Sport website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/speedway/24412504 Also: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/speedway/24462371 Edited November 26, 2013 by The Abbott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 But top class tennis is a far more demanding sport than speedway. One of the most stupid comments I have ever seen on here. Woffinden rides in three leagues in different parts of Europe, travelling all the time. He also rode in the GP's and World Cup, probably averaging 4 meetings a week throughout the season. Aside from risking his life every time he rides, he did so with a broken collar bone. What's more demanding, riding a bike without brakes at 70 mph with three others in a narrow space or knocking a ball across a net ? Why should he be in there ? Speedway is hardly watch by anyone anymore bar a small group of people . I really wish people would take off there rose tinted speedway glasses off and look at the big picture . Who do you know watches sailing, and America's cup sailing at that ? Speedway is no more of a minority sport than that. Woffinden is a British World Champion (the first one in speedway for over a decade) and earned that right over a season not just in one race. He did so by massively stepping up his game from previous seasons and really honing that the talent that he had. John Leslie is right. Its not about whether your sport is minority or not, its about whether it fits with the BBC. Given a free vote of all sportsmen, he'd have got more support than half of those named. He, and speedway, deserve better. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) One of the most stupid comments I have ever seen on here. Yours is a stupid comment ..Tennis a pure skill game ..Mortor Sport on the other hand depends a lot on how fast your car or bike is . Without that you won't win anything ...take those rose tinted speedway glasses off . Your comment about the Sailing is another stupid one as that cup race was watch by millions around the world unlike any Speedway meeting. Edited November 26, 2013 by orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 One of the most stupid comments I have ever seen on here. Woffinden rides in three leagues in different parts of Europe, travelling all the time. He also rode in the GP's and World Cup, probably averaging 4 meetings a week throughout the season. Aside from risking his life every time he rides, he did so with a broken collar bone. What's more demanding, riding a bike without brakes at 70 mph with three others in a narrow space or knocking a ball across a net ? Who do you know watches sailing, and America's cup sailing at that ? Speedway is no more of a minority sport than that. Woffinden is a British World Champion (the first one in speedway for over a decade) and earned that right over a season not just in one race. He did so by massively stepping up his game from previous seasons and really honing that the talent that he had. John Leslie is right. Its not about whether your sport is minority or not, its about whether it fits with the BBC. Given a free vote of all sportsmen, he'd have got more support than half of those named. He, and speedway, deserve better. Really? Tai has got his World Champion medal and trophy. I'm sure people won't be looking in 20 years time at who won SPOTY in 2013 His achievement was never going to be of note to the BBC, why would it? They don't look to appease the minority, they work to a model - The sports that people know about, the ones that attract big crowds and those that appeared in the Olympic games etc. Speedway gets the coverage it deserves frankly. It's a joke! Look at this years latest embarrassment the saga surrounding the Birmingham Brummies. Why publicise that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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