Aleisha Cline wants your vote.
Don't worry, the federal election really is over. The Squamish skier needs the votes of Squamish and Whistler residents to help her win one of the most prestigious awards in the action sports world - the ESPYs.
Because of her incredible accomplishments on the International SkierCross circuit, Cline will be rubbing shoulders with some of the planet's best athletes in the glitz and glamour capital of the world - Hollywood, USA. She has been nominated in the category of 'Best Female Action Sports Athlete' at the 2004 ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) awards - one of the world's most prestigious awards ceremonies. It is Cline's second ESPY nomination.
"I was surprised that I was nominated again," she said. "I thought it would be a once-in-lifetime deal. I had to ask the lady [who phoned me] to repeat herself. To be invited to an event where there are so many world class athletes is pretty cool."
The Squamish skier and member of Whistler Blackcomb's Freeride Team, was given the nod on behalf of her stellar performance throughout the 2003/04 International SkierCross season. Cline skied her way to the gold medal in nine of 14 races this season, on both the Salomon CrossMax International circuit and the World Cup tour. Since 1999, Cline has won five gold medals of the six years at the Winter X Games in Skier Cross.
"It was a great year," Cline said. "I don't feel that it was as good as last year, but I guess I'm pretty hard on myself. The last couple of years have been very successful for me. I worked really hard to get here."
Cline was also nominated for an ESPY in 2003 in the 'Best Action Sports Athlete' category, but lost to male snowboarder Shaun White of San Diego. This year, the best action athlete category has been split-up into men's and women's categories.
Cline's competition comes from a strong contingent of female athletes in action sports. Layne Beachley from Australia recently set an unprecedented record in the surfing world by winning her sixth consecutive ASP world title in 2003. Dallas Friday performed the best run in the history of women's wakeboarding at the Malibu Open and also took first at the Masters, the Vans Triple Crown and the Pro Wakeboard Tour. And Hannah Teter, a 16 year-old snowboarder, stood on the podium for eight of the eleven halfpipe competitions, and won gold at the 2003 Winter X Games. Teter is the first woman to land a 900 in halfpipe competition. None of the women have won an ESPY before.
"They're all as dedicated to their sport as I am I'm sure they all feel that it's an honour to be nominated," said Cline. "I think it's great."
The ESPYs are the sporting world's version of the Oscars - a star-studded glam-filled evening where the worlds' top athletes are awarded for their performance throughout the 2003/ 04 sports season. The ESPY Awards gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The event will take place at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on Wednesday, July 14 - and Cline and her husband Shaums March, will be there.
A win in the prestigious, televised awards show would put another feather in her career cap, but she said she'll take things with a grain of salt.
"It can't hurt to win, but it is a fan vote that could turn into a popularity contest," she said. "I'm doing the best I can to make sure everyone knows about it. Squamish and Whistler have to vote."
To cast an online vote for Cline, go to http://espn.go/espy2004/s/04femaleactionsportsnominees.html. Polls close on July 9.
