• Shortlists have been announced 
• Public voting now open for two prestigious Awards

The shortlist of finalists has been confirmed for the 2018 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards. And there are six leading contenders for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

The Awards, now in their 31st year, have led the way in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational women.

And this is your opportunity to vote for your favourite teams and grassroots leaders over the past 10 months.

The top-six shortlist for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award includes the following outstanding women: Katie Archibald (Track cycling), Rachel Atherton (Mountain biking), Dina Asher-Smith (Athletics), Georgia Hall (Golf), Vicky Holland (Triathlon) and Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton).

Previous winners of the main award include Sally Gunnell, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Zara Tindall, Victoria Pendleton, Christine Ohuruogu and Laura Trott. Elise Christie, the world champion short-track speed skater, was crowned the 2017 Sportswoman of the Year.

A three-week public vote for the Team of the Year and the Grassroots Award commences on Sunday October 7. The British and Northern Ireland public can vote at www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk

The winners will be revealed at a star-studded awards ceremony at the News UK’s London offices on the evening of Thursday November 1.

The Sportswomen of the Year Awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and are supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.

A special judging panel involving sporting stars Rebecca Adlington, Chemmy Alcott, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Helen Glover, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Gabby Logan and Christine Ohuruogu will decide the winner for the overall category.

Follow the latest news and get involved by following #SWOTY in the lead up to the Awards.

The shortlist of finalists for 2018:

THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
The ultimate accolade for your favourite Sportswoman of 2018

Katie Archibald (Track cycling)

Rachel Atherton (Mountain biking)

Dina Asher-Smith (Athletics)

Georgia Hall (Golf)

Vicky Holland (Triathlon)

Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Celebrating the achievements of Britain’s successful collective efforts

4x100m athletics relay squad

England netball squad

Chelsea F.C. Women

GB wheelchair basketball team

Visit www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk to vote for your favourite Team of 2018.

Voting closes at 12pm on Monday October 29, 2018.

YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Nominees must have been 21 or younger on January 1, 2018

Izzy Atkin (Slopestyle skiing)

Georgia Hall (Golf)

Seonaid McIntosh (Shooting)

Grace Reid (Diving)

DISABILITY SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

The outstanding performer in a disability sport

Hollie Arnold (Athletics)

Menna Fitzpatrick (plus guide Jennifer Kehoe) (Alpine skiing)

Sophie Hahn (Athletics)

Alice Tai (Swimming)

Sophie Thornhill (plus pilot Helen Scott) (Track cycling)

GRASSROOTS AWARD
For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of people within their community through sport

Stacey Copeland (Boxing)

Pat Mathie (Gymnastics)

Alex Paske (General sports)

Danielle Robertson (Surfing)

Visit www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk to vote for your favourite Grassroots candidate.

Voting closes at 12pm on Monday October 29, 2018.

Winners of the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and the HELEN ROLLASON AWARD FOR INSPIRATION will be announced on the evening.

Eleanor Mills, Editorial Director of The Sunday Times and Editor Sunday Times Magazine, said: “Providing a platform for women in sport is an essential part of The Sunday Times' ethos - we have been running the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards for three decades.  These awards celebrate female stars' iron determination and give them the recognition they deserve.

We also believe our winners are fantastic role models for the generations that follow. We are thankful to the invaluable support of our celebrity judges, who know the challenges and rewards of the sporting world better than anyone.”