Dean Potter

Laureus World Sports Academy member Tony Hawk was on stage to announce the Laureus Alternative Sportsperson of the Year with fellow Academy member Robby Naish.

Tony Hawk commented, "I speak on behalf of millions out there when I say it\'s really cool that Laureus are once again giving alternative sports the recognition and projection they deserve. There was a time not long ago when our efforts were dismissed as street sports or too risky to be taken seriously, but the world is waking up to the fact there\'s a new generation growing up of side-step traditional sports to pour their energy and skill in to alternative action that demands discipline, courage, skill and character."

The Laureus for the Alternative Sportsperson of the Year went to Dean Potter. Dean became the first person to free-climb both half-dome and El Capitan peaks in Yosemite in less than 24 hours.

Dean unfortunately couldn\'t attend to pick up his award, as he unfortunately had to attend the memorial service of a close friend of his who recently passed away in a climbing accident.

We were able to hook up with Dean via satellite who had the following to say "Hello everybody in Monte Carlo. I\'m here in Yosemite, California and can\'t make it tonight, because we\'re celebrating the life of my friend, Jose Pereira, who passed away while climbing this year in Mexico. I\'d like to thank the Laureus World Sports Academy for acknowledging the wild places around the world, and I\'d also like to express the importance of clean air and fresh water in our natural lands. Thanks Laureus, I\'m greatly honoured."