The United States retained their ice sledge hockey crown in Norway, becoming the first team to ever win back to back world titles, but the South Korean side they beat in the final had never got so far before.

Also in the running for the prize is Cowdrey, who set a world record in the 50 metres freestyle S9 at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

The multiple Paralympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist also set a world record in the 100m freestyle, though that has not been approved by IPC Swimming as yet.

Nikolay Polukhin is also in contention for the honour after winning the individual trophy in the men's biathlon visually impaired class at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup, having won all three events in the discipline in Vuokatti, Finland.

The Vancouver 2010 double silver medallist would become the third Russian to win the award already this year if chosen after Nordic skier Roman Petushkov and wheelchair curler Oksana Slesarenko.


Germany's Anna Schaffelhuber (pictured), who won a bronze in Vancouver at the Paralympic Games two years ago, was also impressive during March as she won the sitting category at the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup in Auron, France.

The public can vote for the winner in the usual way via the poll by clicking here until April 10.

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