Kostelic named global Sportswoman of the Year

Kostelic named global Sportswoman of the Year{mosimage}BARCELONA, Spain – Croatia’s Janica Kostelic, who has won more alpine skiing medals than any other woman, won Sportswoman of the Year at the 2006 Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.

Seven-time tennis grand slam champion Roger Federer of Switzerland was chosen Sportsman of the Year for the second straight year.

Rival Rafael Nadal of Spain won Newcomer of the Year while compatriot Martina Hingis won Comeback of the Year.

Federer, who won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and Australian Open in the past 12 months, is one of only three athletes in the history of Laureus Awards to win the Sportsman of the Year award twice. Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and golfer Tiger Woods also have won twice.

The Laureus Awards are awarded annually, chosen by the 42 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, a who’s who of sports legends.

– The Associated Press