Brownlees pick Non Stanford for BT Action Woman
"Best female triathlete in the world", says Alistair Brownlee
Britain’s Non Stanford has reached the shortlist for the BT Action Woman Award – after being nominated by fellow star triathletes the Brownlee brothers.
“We’ve known Non for about two years after she moved to train at our base in Leeds,” said Alistair Brownlee. “Since then she has improved no end to become the best female triathlete in the world.”
The Brownlees made their nomination on the back of Stanford’s victory at the 2013 ITU Grand Final in London, where she managed to overcome a 15-second penalty to romp home ahead of Ireland’s Aileen Reid.
Stanford will be up against nine other athletes for the award, which is being put to the public vote:
· Christine Ohuruogu (sprinter), supported by Boris Johnson
· Rachel Atherton (cyclist), supported by Victoria Pendleton
· Laura Robson (tennis player), supported by Judy Murray
· Katie Summerhayes (skier), supported by Lawrence Dallaglio
· Heather Knight (cricketer), supported by Mike Gatting
· Sophie Christiansen (equestrian), supported by Sebastian Coe KBE
· Charlie Hull (golfer), supported by Sir Steve Redgrave
· Natasha Dowie (footballer), supported by Michael Owen
· Ellie Simmonds (paralympian swimmer), supported by Sir Ben Ainslie
Votes can be made on www.btsport.com before 19 January 2014, and the winner will be announced on BT Sport’s ‘The Clare Balding Show’ on 25 January 2014.
Non Stanford won British Triathlon’s award for ‘Inspirational Performance in International Competition’ last weekend, and is in the running to win the 2013 Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year Award.
She is also a firm favourite to win Women’s Elite Athlete of the Year at the 220 Triathlon Awards, being announced next March.
(Image: Delly Carr/ITU)
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
