By Liam Morgan

Anna Schaffelhuber will be hoping for a repeat of her dominant performance in Sochi when the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships get underway ©Getty ImagesGerman star Anna Schaffelhuber believes she is in the form of her life ahead of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing World Championships in Panorama, Canada, which run from February 28 to March 10.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a clean sweep of the women's sitting events at last year's Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, taking five gold medals, and she also has six World Cup podium finishes to her name this season.

"I definitely feel ready," she said.

"I'm happy with my season and feel well prepared.

"I have to achieve my best performance, then everything is possible.

"Of course my aim has to be to win the gold medal.

"I will try it each time and we will see how it works out."

Schaffelhuber will be hoping she can repeat her dominance from Sochi 2014 but she knows the competition will be even fiercer this time around, particularly from Austrian rival Claudia Lösch.

Lösch and Schaffelhuber enjoyed a fascinating battle during the World Cup season and the pair finished level in the giant slalom and slalom competitions, meaning they shared the prestigious globe trophy, although the German had the upper hand in the super-combined and downhill rankings.

Anna Schaffelhuber will face stiff competition from Claudia Lösch who shared the slalom and giant slalom World Cup titles with the German this season ©Getty ImagesAnna Schaffelhuber will face stiff competition from Claudia Lösch who shared the slalom and giant slalom World Cup titles with the German this season ©Getty Images



The reigning Paralympic champion feels this rivalry is beneficial, and she is looking forward to proving herself on the world stage once again.

"I think it was very good for me to have these challenges during the season," Schaffelhuber, who is nominated for the 2015 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award, said.

"You see it's a fight for the medals and I had to develop myself and become better and better.

"The races are going to be exciting.

"At the moment I'm at the final training before travelling to Panorama and I cannot wait until it finally starts."

The IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships will see the best Para-skiers descend on the Canadian resort, with 130 athletes from 130 countries expected to be in attendance.

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