Main awards go to Cav and Zoe

Cyclist Mark Cavendish and Snowboardcrosser Zoe Gillings have been named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2008.

At a gala ceremony at the Villa Marina, the four-times Tour de France stage winner collected yet another accolade, while Gillings also received her British Olympics Association prize.

Former Sports Council Chairman Brian Partington received the Lifetime Achievement trophy and five-times TT sidecar winner Nick Crowe was named an Isle of Man Sports Ambassador.

Sports Editor Tim Glover has more (text, below, from attached audio file):

Cyclist Peter Kennaugh and golfer Emma Harris took the Under-21 honours.

It was a good night for Douglas Rugby Club who were named Team of the Year, with coach Paul Snellgrove also amongst the winners.

Archer Rusty Kneale-Barrow won the Disability Sportsperson award and Allan Thompson took the club official prize for his work with Vagabonds Rugby Club.

There was also a special trophy for motorcyclist Dan Kneen in recognition of his historic three wins at the Manx Grand Prix.

Four sidecar passengers of 13-times TT winner Dave Molyneux - Carl Ellison, Dougie Jewell, Dan Sayle and the late Colin Hardman - along with cyclist Jonny Bellis, were inducted into the Manx Sporting Hall of Fame.