Townsville swimmer posts hat-trick of awards
Source: Townsville Bulletin - February 23rd, 2009 Author: NATALIE PEUT
INSPIRATIONAL open water swimmer Penny Palfrey created history on Saturday night when she won the Townsville Bulletin Sportstar of the Year award for the third time.
Palfrey has been nominated for the award, which recognises North Queensland’s best sporting talent, eight times and previously won in 1993 and in 1998.
She won the award from a field of nine other finalists – basketballer Rohanee Cox, rugby league players Johnathan Thurston, lifesaver Anika Wright, indoor cricketers Herbie Heuir and James Spargo, hockey player Ellen Seaniger, paralympic athletes Julie Smith and Paul Raison and cyclist Ruth Corset.
“I was very surprised and pleased,” a shocked Palfrey said of the win.
“It’s exciting, I didn’t think you were allowed to win it three times – but I guess if you stick around long enough.”
Palfrey was presented with a medallion and $2000 worth of airfares by Olympic Games gold medal-winning swimmer Linda Mackenzie who was guest speaker at the presentation dinner at Tony Ireland Stadium. The Junior Sportstar of the Year award was won by BMX racer Rachael Bracken while the Team of the Year was won by the national basketball championship-winning Townsville Flames for the second year in a row.
“The standard of athletes Townsville is producing now is outstanding,” Palfrey said.
“It’s very exciting for North Queensland, some fantastic performances throughout the year and I was pleased with mine.
“To even be picked was an honour.”
Last year the 46-year-old Palfrey become the first woman to swim the 45km Santa Barbara Channel, from San Miguel Island to the California mainland.
The world record swim took her 11hrs 29mins.
Palfrey’s record-breaking swims continued when she set a new mark in the Tampa Bay Marathon.
While outright victory may have eluded her in the Manhattan Island Marathon, Palfrey put in a strong showing to be the first woman across the line.
Victorian swimmer John Van Wisse took overall honours in the gruelling 28.5 mile (45.8km) swim in a time of 7hrs 30mins 15secs, with Palfrey crossing in second place, less than five minutes later.
The Manhattan Marathon is regarded as one of the toughest open water events in the world with only 26 swimmers invited to compete.
Palfrey also took out the 5km Austax Strand Swim Series in Townsville.
The list of achievements continued for Palfrey when she was nominated for International Open Water Swimmer of the Year award but was beaten by an American swimmer.
“I’m very happy with all performances in 2008, I achieved everything I set out to do which was great,” Palfrey said.
“I have a good support network and it’s great to have Chris (her husband) to swim with.”
The 46-year-old has already planned a couple of swims for 2009 with the Hawaii Channel first in two weeks’ time.