Maelle RICKER |
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1978-born Canadian Maelle Ricker is what you can call well-experienced. This four-time Olympian in two different disciplines (snowboard cross and halfpipe) has not only earned a total of 35 World Cup podiums including 14 victories until end of the 2011 season but also has been part in seven 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.
But "Mighty Mouse" never gave up. Over the following years the Squamisch, BC, resident 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. And that turned out Golden.
This "new-born" true racer had the nerves to control her rivals at the 2010 Olympics becoming the first athlete to claim Olympic Gold for Canada on home soil.
Being equally strong in gliding sections, big jumps, steep turns and other features, it's hard for her competitors to pass her. And according to this, it's also pretty likely that there will be more success to achieve for one of the oldest females competing in the sbx events.