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)

-Ends-

Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to develop sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.??

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 170 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.??

For further information, please contact Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager on e-mail: craig.spence@paralympic.org or call +49-228-2097-230. Alternatively, please visit www.paralympic.org.