[Archive 2006-12-28] Cindy Klassen named Canada's female athlete of the year

Historical archive — originally published 2006-12-28. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

Speed skater Cindy Klassen was voted as the 2006 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award's female athlete of the year, on Wednesday. Her second time winning the honour, she was given the award for winning five medals at the 2006 winter Olympic games in Turin, Italy, in February.

Klassen had 131 of 144 first-place ballots in voting by sports editors and broadcasters. The editors and broadcasters were surveyed by the Canadian Press and Broadcast News. She finished at 412 points in the Canadian Press award voting. Clara Hughes, of Winnipeg, was second with 104 points and three first-place votes.

Hayley Wickenheiser, of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, had five first-place votes and finished third with 83 points. Wickenheiser helped the Canadian women's hockey team win Olympic gold in Turin.

Klassen will also be racing in the 2010 winter Olympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia and in nearby Whistler, British Columbia, a popular snow skiing destination.

Klassen, a Winnipeg, Manitoba native, was also awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy this year. Her five medals made her Canada's most decorated Olympian. She also won the bronze medal in the 3,000 at Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002.

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