Canuck snowboarders headed to Sochi

VANCOUVER — Canada has set a goal of finishing first in the overall medal standings at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Snowboarders will in all likelihood have to play a key role if there’s any chance of meeting that lofty target.

The first five members of the Canadian contingent heading to Sochi next month were unveiled Friday, led by a three-time Olympian and an unlikely superstar from the Prairies.

“We definitely have an amazing group and an amazing team and to be a part of it is great,” said Maelle Ricker, who won gold in snowboard cross at the 2010 Olympics. “We have strong athletes in all the disciplines and I’m very honoured and excited.”

Sochi will be Ricker’s third Games but, at age 35, the West Vancouver, B.C., native is still seen as a favourite in her event where competitors race down a course side-by-side.

“I would love to perform at my best (again),” she said after Friday’s news confer- ence.

Apart from Ricker, another Canadian expected to contend for a medal is Mark McMorris.

The 20-year-old from Regina is the two-time defending Winter X Games champion in slopestyle, an acrobatic snowboard discipline set to make its Olympic debut in Sochi.

The other three named to the squad were Sebastien Toutant of L’Assomption, Spencer O’Brien of Courtenay, B.C., and Calgary’s Chris Robanske.