Greatest year for women's sport: Girl power and the sister acts

A look at the British achievements in female sport in 2014

Sport Staff
Saturday 27 December 2014 18:28 GMT
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England celebrate after Emily Scarratt scores a try during the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 Final between England and Canada
England celebrate after Emily Scarratt scores a try during the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 Final between England and Canada (GETTY IMAGES)

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2014 truly was the greatest year for British women's sport. From the success in the Women's Rugby World Cup, to Jo Pavey's brilliance on the track and Lizzy Yarnold's sheer bravery on the ice, here's a look at the high points of the last 12 months.

England rugby team

Beat Canada 21-9 in Paris to win the World Cup for the first time since 1994. Also voted BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year.

Charlotte Dujardin

Made history by winning two dressage golds at the World Equestrian Games – the first British rider to be Olympic, world and European champion at the same time.

Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans

First Britons to clinch a Winter Paralympics gold –in visually impaired Super-G in Sochi.

Joe Pavey

Won a first major championship gold at the Euros, in the 10,000m aged 41 – the oldest female to win in the competition’s history. It came 10 days after she won bronze in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games.

Lizzy Yarnold

Won GB’s only gold of the 2014 Winter Olympics, and just their 10th in the history of the Games. Her winning margin of 0.97sec was the largest ever. She also secured the overall World Cup title in the 2013-14 season.

British cycling team

Joanna Rowsell won the individual pursuit gold at the World Championships and, alongside Laura Trott, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald, also took the team pursuit gold.

England football team

Qualified for next summer’s World Cup finals by winning all 10 qualifying games. Also attracted a record 55,000 crowd for friendly with Germany at Wembley.

Claudia Fragapane

Became the first Englishwoman to win four gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – aged 16.

Fran Halsall

Swimmer won two golds at the Commonwealth Games, three at the Euros and two at the World Cup.

England cricket team

Won the Ashes 10-8 in a combination of Test cricket, one-day internationals and Twenty20.

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