The 27-year-old from New Mexico took home two gold - downhill and giant slalom - silver in the super G and bronze in the super combined.

Nichols became the first female Paralympian to claim gold medals at both the summer and winter Paralympic Games - she won gold with the US women's wheelchair basketball team in Beijing.

Nichols also dominated the 2010 World Cup schedule by winning both the downhill and super G titles.

"Receiving the 2010 Paralympic Sports Woman of the Year award is such an honour, and having been selected from a pool of the country's most elite Paralympic athletes is just so humbling," said Nichols.

"I'm truly honoured.

"This is the cherry on top of an absolutely unbelievable year for me."



Sled hockey team star Taylor Chace (pictured) won 2010 Paralympic Sports Man of the Year for his performance as a member of the gold medal-winning USA Paralympic sled hockey team at Vancouver 2010.

The 24-year-old from New Hampton was part of a solid defence that did not allow a single goal in five games in Vancouver.

He was named the top defenceman of the Games, tied for second among all defencemen with five points (3-2) and tied for first with a +8 rating in the five games.

"Receiving this award is a tremendous honour," he said.

"While winning the gold medal in Vancouver was the ultimate prize, this award is due in large part to my team-mates, the sacrifices made by my family and my passion for hockey that keeps me going on the ice every day."

The was a double boost for Chace as it was the 2010 USA Paralympic sled hockey team that won the 2010 Paralympic Team of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The team dominated the competition in Vancouver - going undefeated and outscoring opponents 18-0 in five games and becoming the first country not to concede a goal at the Paralympic Winter Games.

The USA also became the first country to claim a second sled hockey gold medal after winning at the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games.

Steve Cash was named the top goaltender of the Games and Chace was voted top defenceman.

Joining Cash and Chace on the team were Mike Blabac, Jimmy Connelly, Brad Emmerson, Joe Howard, Tim Jones, Nikko Landeros, Taylor Lipsett, Adam Page, Josh Pauls, Alexi Salamone, Greg Shaw, Bubba Torres and Andy Yohe.

Head coach Ray Maluta said:"By shutting out all of our opponents en route to the gold our team achieved a record in Vancouver that can never be broken.

"The guys' ability to work together resulted in gold hanging around their necks, and I couldn't be happier for this group."

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