The Laureus World Sports Award was established in 1999 and is the premier global sports award honoring the greatest sportsmen and women across all sports each year. The Laureus World Sports Academy members will select winners in seven categories. And nominated for the “Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year” category is PWA Wave Worldchampion 2011 Philip Köster. Philip is the 4th windsurfer being nominated. 2007 Kevin Pritchard was nominated but Kelly Slater took the award, 2010 Antoine Albeau was nominated but Stephanie Gilmore took the award and last year Victor Fernandez was one of the 6 nominees, but it was again Kelly Slater, who grabbed the trophy. Maybe this year a windsurfer can win?
This is what the Laureus committee wrote about Philip: Philip Köster became PWA Wave World Champion in September 2011 at the age of 17. Climbing giant waves and producing colossal jumps, Köster achieved top spot after three wins. With the adrenaline pumping, he wowed the crowds with his performance. He was awarded 12 points for one ride that included a one handed goiter and a taka. In his final ride, he launched into a wave 360 where he landed back in the wave and then he boosted straight into a huge double forward on the way out. Köster, who now lives just 100 metres from the beach in Gran Canaria, was named German Sportsman of the Year by the German edition of GQ magazine.
The ceremony will be broadcast to a worldwide TV audience from the heart of London at Central Hall, Westminster, on the evening of Monday, February 6.
We will keep you updated.
Video of the nominees 2012:
