Maelle RICKER |
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31-years-old Canadian Maelle Ricker is what you can call well-experienced. This three-time Olympian in two different disciplines (snowboard cross and halfpipe) has not only earned a total of 30 World Cup podiums including 14 victories until end of January 2010 but also has been part in six World Championships.
Although she has grabbed "only" one Bronze medal in the 2005 snowboard cross WCS race, no one should think that she cannot bring it all together when it comes to major events.
After the she had missed the 2002 Olympics due to a knee injury - one out of a total of eight knee injuries - she was the girl to beat in the Torino Winter Games in 2006. Not only she dominated the time trials by nailing the best time, but the rider who calls Clara Hughes (an Olympic speed skating and cycling medallist) one of her idols also had been on fire in each of her Olympic snowboard cross knock-out heats - until the rollers in the top sections took her out in the big final burying all of her chances for an Olympic title.
About one year later, after 82 World Cup starts (Stoneham 2007) in two disciplines, she started to concentrate on snowboard cross getting rid step by step of what is called avoidable mistakes on the course - a decision which paid right off after the summer break. "Mighty Mouse" claimed 1-2 at the first two races in Valle Nevado, Chile, in the 2008 World Cup season (which she finished as the World Cup title winner) adding seven victories until the 2010 Olympics in an unpredictable discipline where four riders go down a track, all totally focused to win trying t o get rid of everybody in their way.
Over the last years, the Squamish, BC, resident also moved on from being the shy and nice girl on the slope, which she still might be in nature, to a highly focused athlete with the will to win. This new gained character, which is so important for a true competitor, might not fit to a snowboard role model who doesn't like attention at all; but this attitude is part of the "new" Ricker making her a real challenge on the race courses around the world.
Being equally strong in gliding sections, big jumps, steep turns and other features, it's hard for her competitors to pass her. No wonder that Ricker has been in almost every big final over the past three years - and might be in the up-coming season.