Here’s our guide to some of the top sporting events, both home and abroad, that look set to make headlines in 2010.
2010 Winter Olympics
Hopes are high for a strong showing from Team GB at the Winter
Olympics. Look out for boardercross snowboarder Zoe Gillings, downhill skier Chemmy Alcott, Shelley Rudman and Amy Williams in the skeleton and Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke in the bobsleigh.
At: Vancouver, Canada
On: February 12-28
Info: www.vancouver2010.com
Tennis Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
British women’s tennis enjoyed a ground-breaking 2009 with three Brits (Anne Keothavong, Elena Baltacha and Katie O’Brien) inside the top 100 for the first time in nearly twenty years, Laura Robson as world junior number one and Heather Watson winning the US Open girls tournament. Hopes are high for the AEGON GB Fed Cup team in action. in February.
At: Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
On: February 1-5
Info: www.fedcup.com
England women’s cricket tour to India
England have never won a series playing in India but as the current world champions they will be looking to set this right. They will then head to the West Indies to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title.
At: Various locations across India
On: February 15 – March 9
Info: www.ecb.co.uk
IAAF World Indoor Championships
Watch the world’s top athletes compete indoors at the impressive Aspire Dome venue in Doha. Jessica Ennis will be hoping to add the world indoor title to the world championship crown she won in Berlin.
At: Doha, Qatar
On: March 12-14
Info: www.doha2010wic.com
Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy
Nottingham will play host to the 18th edition of this annual tournament that sees six of the best hockey teams in the world compete. It’s the first time it has been held in England and as hosts England automatically qualifies. They will be joined by New Zealand, Argentina, Netherlands, Germany and China.
At: Highfields Sports Club, Nottingham
On: July 10-18
Info: www.wct2010.com
2010 UCI BMX World Championships
Look out for Shanaze Reade who, after missing last season through injury, will be looking to recapture the world title she won in 2007 and 2008.
At: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
On: July 29 – August 1
Info: www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za
Women’s Rugby World Cup
For the first time in the tournament’s 19 year history it is being held on English soil. England captain Catherine Spencer and her team will be looking to knock current world champions New Zealand off the top spot, after losing in the final to them in 2006. They are no strangers to success having won four successive Six Nations titles.
At: Surrey Sports Park, Guildford and Harlequins Stoop, London
On: August 20 – September 5
Info: www.rwcwomens.com
Commonwealth Games
Several of the British stars of 2009 will be notable by their absence at the games, including Jessica Ennis who is choosing to concentrate on the world indoors and european championships. Look out for England’s netball team who are currently ranked third in the world and picked up a bronze four years ago in Melbourne.
At: Delhi, India
On: October 3-14
Info: www.cwgdelhi2010.org
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
