Sarah Ellerby
| Born | 24 February 1975 |
|---|---|
| Sport country |  England |
| Nickname | Velvet Ice Maiden |
| Professional | 2000–2008 |
| Pool games | Eight-ball, Nine-ball |
Sarah Ellerby (born 24 February 1975) is an English former professional pool player. She began playing in England, before moving to the United States to play in World Pool-Billiard Association events. In total, Ellerby has won over 100 championships, including the 1997 European Eight-ball Championship. She retired in 2008 whilst ranked number one in the world in eight-ball.
Career
Ellerby was born on 24 February 1975.[1] She started playing pool against her brother at the age of 12.[2] She was an England international player at pool from 1992 to 1999.[2]
Ellerby played some tournaments in the United States, and obtained a visa to relocate there to play. Her flight was diverted to Newfoundland due to the September 11 attacks, and then her plane returned to England.[3] She played eight-ball for most of her career in England but switched to nine-ball in America. Before moving to the United States, Ellerby worked as a prison officer.[3] Her nickname as a player in the United Kingdom was Velvet, and she changed this to Ice Maiden after she moved.[4] Ellerby was named the 2002 rookie of the year, and in 2003 was ranked 13th.[2]
She retired from competitive play in 2008, when ranked fifth at nine-ball and first at eight-ball, having lost her appetite for the game when her strategic marketing and development consultancy became successful, and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.[4]
At the 1994 Women's World Snooker Championship, Ellerby beat Anita Rizzuti 4-2 in the preliminary round, before losing 3–4 to Helen Lazell in the first round.[5]
Tournament wins
Ellerby won over 100 titles.[3] They include the following:
- 1997 European Championship[3]
- 1st Ladies Billiard Association of Florida Tour 2001 #1[1]
- 1st Ladies Billiard Association of Florida Tour 2001 #4[1]
- 1st North East Women's Tour 2001 Event 1[1]
- Ladies Spirit Tour 2002 #2[1]
- Ladies Spirit Tour 2002 #1[1]
- Ladies Spirit Tour 2003 #1[1]
- Ladies Spirit Tour 2003 #7[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Sarah Ellerby". azbilliards.com. AZBilliards.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ a b c Sosienski, Shanti (September 2007). Right on cue. Rodale, Inc. pp. 29–30. ISSN 0897-1706.
{{cite book}}:|magazine=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d "Ice maiden Sarah living the American dream". Gazette and Herald. Swindon. 15 January 2003. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ a b Scott, Catherine (31 August 2011). "Former pool star is still on the ball in business". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ "Three top eight fail to qualify". Snooker Scene. No. June 1994. Everton's News Agency. p. 13.