Top BBC Yorkshire nod for Goodison
by Karenza Morton, RYA 9 Dec 2008 11:12 GMT
8 December 2008
Paul Goodison capped his remarkable 2008 by being named BBC Yorkshire’s Sports Personality of the Year last night.
Rotherham-raised Goodison picked up the award at the ceremony in Bradford after his Laser class gold medal at Beijing 2008 was chosen as Yorkshire’s sporting highlight of the year by the panel of eight judges.
The 31-year-old Skandia Team GBR star, who was born in Sheffield and is a lifelong Sheffield United fan, was presented with his award by Blades boss Kevin Blackwell.
Goodison, who now lives and trains in Weymouth, admitted it was a proud night for both he and his parents who accompanied him to the event.
He said: “I was definitely feeling like a proud Yorkshireman, to win the award was fantastic, but it was extra special as Yorkshire isn’t really known for being a hotbed of sailing, so for the sport to be recognised as well was brilliant.
“It was quite emotional as they showed a lovely montage from the Olympics and it showed my mum crying and my dad crying and my cousin crying! I was welling up a bit.”
As well as his Olympic success, Goodison also won his fourth successive European Championship crown in 2008 as well as triumphing at March’s Princess Sofia Trophy Regatta in Palma.