GOLD ON THE HORIZON
North Van’s Maelle Ricker will lead a strong Canadian snowboard team at the Sochi Olympics.
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 snowboardcross 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 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 conference. “Definitely, every time I put my snowboard on, that’s what I’m aiming to do and hopefully, we get some good results because of it.”
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.
“It feels amazing,” McMorris said of being named to the Canadian team. “It’s going to be a fun time. I’ve been preparing like a mad man and I think I’m ready.”
Other rookie Olympians named to Canada’s squad were Sebastien Toutant of L’Assomption, Que., Spencer O’Brien of Courtenay and Calgary’s Chris Robanske.
Toutant and O’Brien will compete in slopestyle, while Robanske is entered in snowboardcross. The rest of the team will be named Jan. 21.
Canada won 26 medals — including three in snowboard — at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, good for third behind the United States ( 37) and Germany ( 30).
An even bigger performance will be required in Russia to accomplish the Canadian Olympic Committee’s goal of finishing first.
The laid- back McMorris doesn’t put any added emphasis on his own performance when overall team goals are mentioned.
“Whenever anybody looks at you to win there’s pressure,” he said. “I’ve been able to have a lot of success over the last three years and consistently podium or win events.
“I’m in one event and my goal is to win a gold medal and if I do so, that will be a big help.”