Elise takes world title
It was a year to remember for Livingston’s Ice Queen Elise Christie after she became triple world champion.
The 27-year-old, who is set to compete at next year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea, was on top of the world in March as she took a trio of gold medals at the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam.
She became the first British woman to win a world title when she finished ahead of the field in the 1500m and she followed that up with gold in the 1000m as well as the overall title.
She also grabbed a bronze in the 3000m to complete a truly stunning week.
Christie said:“My dream has come true and for the first time ever I’m a world champion.”
It was an exceptional year for women in sport in West Lothian.
Armadale trap-shooter Sharon Niven made up for the disappointment of narrowly missing out on Glasgow 2014 by firing her way into the Scotland squad for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
And weightlifter Beth McLellan completed a truly remarkable return from injury to grab a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships in Australia, although she missed out on the squad for next year’s Games.
Blackburn United completed an unbeaten league season by lifting the Scottish Women’s Football League Division Two crown, adding that to their League Cup title. They were joined in the league by three returning or new West Lothian teams.
Livi basketball star Leah Stewart continued her career in Spain by signing with Barcelonabased CB Nou Esplugues.