ALEX Cudlin joined an elite group when he was named the Manning River Times-Greater Taree City Council-Ken McDonald Memorial Sportstar of the Year for 2014 at the Greater Taree Australia Day celebrations at the Manning Entertainment Centre.
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Cudlin, four time winner of the Qatar Superbike Championship, is only the seventh person to take out the Manning’s top sport award twice since it was inaugurated in 1960.
He follows sailor Ian Ruff (1969, 1976), rugby league star Mal Cochrane (1978-79), rower Murray Doust (1980-81), triathlete Greg Hardwick (1988-1989) equestrian Johnny Fahey (1964,1994) and surfer Ben Dunn (2002-2003).
Cudlin was one of six finalists in the award judged by a panel consisting of chairman Hugh McCrindle, mayor Paul Hogan, Craig Martin, Narelle Salmon and Mick McDonald. The judges were unanimous in their decision. Other finalists were gymnast Daniel Stocks, shooter Alex Brace, dragon boat racer Sean Page, barefoot skier Kye Cornall and hockey player Ashleigh Alcorn.
Mr McCrindle remarked on the youth of the majority of the finalists, with three, Kye, Daniel and Sean all still teenagers.
“We’re seeing some new sports emerge,’’ Mr McCrindle, who has been chairman of the judging panel for more than 40 years, noted.
“This is the first time we’ve had a dragon boat racer as a finalist and I think only the second time we’ve had a barefoot skier. It certainly shows the diversity of sport we have in our region.’’
However, he added Cudlin’s qualifications were too good. Not only did he win the Qatar championship for a record fourth time but he was also a member of the Kawasaki team that scored a dramatic win in the Superstock category at the Le Mans 24 hour race in France. For good measure he was also drafted to race into a round of the World Superbikes. Cudlin manages to compete overseas while still living in the Manning, as does his brother, Damien, who will ride in the European Superbike Championship this year.
“I’m always proud to be representing the Manning Valley,’’ Cudlin said in accepting the award from the mayor.
“It’s good to have the community behind you.’’
Cudlin faces a battle to retain his title this year after mechanical failure saw him miss the two races in the third round. He’s currently in second place with three rounds to go.
The next round will be in six weeks time.
He showed his versatility last weekend when he also played in the celebrity league tag game played at the Jack Neal Oval in conjunction with the Manning in Motion Festival.
