Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
Although Canada secured a bronze in the Olympic debut of women's snowboard cross, Squamish's medal hopeful was not as lucky. The women's final on Feb. 17 featured two Canadians and after posting the fastest time in both qualifying heats earlier on Friday, Maelle Ricker was strongly favoured for a medal. She was also coming off a bronze medal in snowboard cross at the 2005 world championships and her recent X Games victory.
Her chances, however, were short lived. Ricker botched a jump early in the race and landing hard on her back and was unable to get up.
Latter in the race, Canadian Dominique Maltais also wiped out, but was able to recover and cross the finish line for a bronze, well behind Tanja Frieden of Switzerland who won gold, and Lindsey Jacobellis of the U.S. took silver.
Squamish's Dominique Vallee failed to advance past the qualifying round on Friday.
According to a team official, Ricker received attention on the course and was taken to hospital in Turin by helicopter, for treatment for a slight concussion.
On the men's side of the snowboard cross action Squamish resident, Tom Velisek did not make the quarterfinals.
American Seth Wescott took the gold medal in the event followed by Radoslav Zidek of Slovakia in second and Paul-Henri Delarure of France, who took bronze.
Canadian Jasey-Jay Anderson was disqualified in the semifinals and would not race the final, however he was able to win the "small final," where he earned fifth position.
Francois Boivin of Jonquiere, placed 10th in the consolation round.
Medal favourite Drew Nielson of Canada had the fastest time in qualifying, however a mishap on the course event saw him fail to advance to the quarter-finals.
