Canadian woman wins gold in snowboard cross

The sun has finally come out on Cypress Mountain, and B.C.’s Maelle Ricker, 31, of North Vancouver has won gold in women’s snowboarding cross.

The four final boarders were: Helene Olafson (Norway), Olivia Nobs (Switzerland), Deborah Anthonioz (France), and Ricker (Canada).

Favourite Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) finished fifth overall, after tripping up in the quarterfinal run.

The final eight boarders in the semifinal rounds were: Ricker (Canada), Mellie Francon and Olivia Nobs (Switzerland); Zoe Gillings (Great Britain), Lindsey Jacobellis (USA), Helene Olafson (Norway); and Deborah Anthonioz and Nelly Moenne Loccoz (France).

Though Ricker struggled in her first of two qualifying runs, she came through in her second attempt, finishing 1.02 seconds behind the leader, Mellie Francon of Switzerland, whose best time was 1:24:43. USA’s Lindsey Jacobellis was in the second spot, and Switzerland’s Olivia Nobs was fourth going into the quarterfinal runs.

Fog and warm temperatures caused havoc on the course, and the runs were temporarily halted as officials brought out the orange flag and checked out the condition of trouble spots.

Swiss rider Simona Meiler took two spills in her first run, and ended up with a bloody lip after crashing into the retainer fence near the finish.

"It’s challenging because the snow is slushy. There are bumps and that makes it hard to keep your balance," she said.

Canada’s Dominique Maltais’ first run resulted in a "disqualified" result. Four other snowboarders were unable to complete oen or both runs after falling or sliding off course.

The women’s snowboard cross competition has been delayed and thousands of standing-room audience tickets were cancelled due to fog and warm temperatures.

Six gold medals for snowboarding will be won over the course of the six days of competition.

with files from Cory Wolfe, Canwest News Service

Team Canada for snowboarding is:

The full schedule for snowboarding competitions is (all times are in Pacific Standard Time Zone):

Mon Feb 15, 2010

Tue Feb 16, 2010

Wed Feb 17, 2010

Thu Feb 18, 2010

Fri Feb 26, 2010

Sat Feb 27, 2010

Snowboarding events are being held on Cypress Mountain, in West Vancouver in an area known as ‘the North Shore.’ Unseasonably warm temperatures have eroded the snow base at this venue, and event crews covered some spots with hay to prevent more melt. Snowmakers and trucks of snow from neighbouring mountains were also brought in to develop the venue.