Australian Institute of Sport Paralympic Alpine skier Cameron Rahles-Rahbula has been crowned Australian Paralympian of the Year for his outstanding achievements at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

The 27-year-old was presented with Australian Paralympic sport’s highest honour at a gala ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park last night, hosted by the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC).

’It’s such a great honour, I’m very proud to have won this award’, Rahles-Rahbula, a three-time Paralympian said.

’It was an awesome experience to be part of such an outstanding Australian team at the Paralympic Games, and so to be recognised as the Paralympian of the Year is a really special feeling.’

The award recognises his tremendous achievement at the Vancouver Games, winning two bronze medals in the men’s combined downhill and slalom and individual slalom event at Whistler Creekside and shows what can be achieved by athletes with disability.

Rahles-Rahbula has overcome remarkable adversity to become one of the world’s top Paralympic skiers in the L2W standing class after amputation of his leg as a result of bone cancer. He joined the AIS Paralympic Alpine Skiing program in 2001.  

APC President Greg Hartung congratulated Rahles-Rahbula on taking out the award.

‘Cameron is an outstanding athlete, and is one of best winter Paralympians Australia has ever produced,’ Hartung said.

‘To win two bronze medals at a Winter Paralympics is a huge feat and is a testament to Cameron’s skill, passion and ability, particularly after he endured back and ankle injuries leading up to the Games.’

Rahles-Rahbula contributed to half of Australia’s total medal tally of one silver and three bronze at the Vancouver Paralympic Games, as Australia finished in 13th place overall ahead of Switzerland and Sweden, traditionally strong in winter sports.

He was also named the APC’s Male Athlete of the Year while AIS/Paralympic team-mate Jessica Gallagher was awarded the APC’s Female Athlete of the Year. 

The 24-year-old Gallagher was recognised for becoming the first Australian female athlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Winter Games, claiming bronze in the women’s vision impaired slalom event.

In other major awards, former AIS scholarship holder Toby Kane received the APC President’s Medal for Excellence in Sportsmanship.

Australian Winter Paralympic Team head coach Steve Graham was named Coach of the Year while the Australian Paralympic Medals, the APC’s highest accolade for non-athletes, were awarded to Rod Kemp, the former Federal Minister for Sport and Paul Bird, APC Vice-President, 2000 Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission for their individual contributions to the Australian Paralympic movement.

The AIS works in partnership with the APC to deliver the Paralympic Alpine Skiing program. This program currently supports ten athletes through leading coach and sports science expertise and world-class training facilities.