IPC Releases Shortlist for December Athlete of the Month

Alexandra Starker in an Alpine Skiing race © • Brianne Law Skiers unite in celebrating success in Vancouver 2010. Katarzyna Rogowiec (POL) competes during the Women's 3km Pursuit Standing Biathlon at the 2010 Vancouver Games. © • Getty Images Adam Hall of New Zealand competes in the Men's Standing Super-G during Day 8 of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Creekside on March 19, 2010 in © • Getty Images Australia's Kurt Fearnley at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. © • Lieven Coudenys

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced its shortlist for December’s Athlete of the Month award. The public has until 23:59 (CET) on 7 January to vote for whom they think had the best performance last month on the para-sport scene.

Fans can vote on the IPC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/paralympicsporttv. The finalists for December include:

Greg Westlake (Canada): Westlake recorded a hat trick in the World Sledge Hockey Challenge finals to lead Canada to gold with a 4-1 victory over USA.

Alexandra Starker (Canada): At just 17 years old, Starker won both days of the Giant Slalom Standing event at the Alpine Skiing NORAM Cup on Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA.

Andrea Rothfuss (Germany): Rothfuss won both days of the Slalom Standing competition at the IPC Alpine Skiing European Cup in Kuehtai, Austria.

Katarzyna Rogowiec (Poland): Rogowiec recorded three top finishes at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Sjusjoen, Norway, winning the titles in the 5km, 15km and Sprint events in the LW2-9 Standing category.

Adam Hall (New Zealand): Hall finished in first place on both days of the Slalom Standing competition at the Alpine Skiing NORAM Cup on Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA.

Kurt Fearnley (Australia): The Marathon wheelchair racer took to the waters, being part of a crew that won a Sailing race from Sydney to Hobart.

Previous winners of the award in 2011 are:

January: Yon Santacana (Spain’s world champion Alpine Skier)

February: Italy’s Ice Sledge Hockey European Championship team

March: Neil Fachie (Great Britain’s world champion track Para-Cyclist)

April: Mikhalina Lysova (Russia’s world champion Biathlete and Cross-Country Skier)

May: Kristy Pond (Australia’s multi-medal winner at the Arafura Games)

June: Zoe Newson (Great Britain’s junior world champion in Powerlifting)

July: Danielle Brown (Great Britain’s three-time medallist at the Para-Archery World Championships)

August: Ellie Cole (Australia’s six-time gold medallist at Para Pan Pacific Swimming Championships)

September: Mark Rohan (Ireland’s handcycling road world champion)

October: Natalia Partyka (Poland’s Para-Table Tennis European singles champion)

November: Colombia’s men’s Wheelchair Basketball team (Silver medallists at Parapan American Games)