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The Speedo proved mightier than the pedal in a marquee all-Island showdown Thursday night at the 47th Sport sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Awards Banquet hosted by broadcaster Brian Williams and held at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond.

London Olympics silver-medallist 1,500-metre freestyle swimmer Ryan Cochrane was named 2012 sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ amateur male athlete of the year ahead of fellow-Victorian and Giro d’Italia cycling champion Ryder Hesjedal, who was also nominated.

The result might be considered a bit of an upset since Hesjedal was named Canadian male athlete of the year in Canadian Press balloting in December.

Soccer star Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, brilliant in captaining sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ to a controversial near massive upset of the U.S. in the semifinals and eventually to the bronze medal at the London Olympics, was named sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ female amateur athlete of the year. She was also Canadian Press’ Canadian female athlete of the year for 2012.

Balloting for the Sport sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Awards is annually conducted by a panel of media members and amateur sports officials from across the province.

Trevor Hirschfield from Parksville, London Paralympic wheelchair rugby medallist with the Canadian team, was named top sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ athlete with a disability.

Peter Lawless of Victoria, who guided the Canadian wheelchair track team to medals at the London Paralympics, was named sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ coach of the year.

Rugby player Fergus Hall of GNS, tipped as a future international for sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, was named male high school athlete of the year.

The Penticton Vees’ overwhelming season was rewarded. The Vees, who set a North American junior hockey record with 42 consecutive victories en route to the 2012 RBC Cup national title, were named sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ team of the year.