Squamish's Ma毛lle Ricker on Tuesday (Feb. 21) completed her comeback from a shoulder injury she suffered last season, posting her first World Cup snowboard cross victory of the 2011-'12 season.
Racing on home soil in Stoneham, Que., Ricker delighted a packed crowd by racing to victory in the final, ahead of French athletes Moenne Loccoz (second) and Deborah Anthonioz (third), with Calgary's Michelle Brodeur finishing fourth.
In recent weeks Ricker, the 2010 Olympic champion, had posted a pair of third-place finishes. Tuesday's win was her first since she injured her shoulder during the 2011 World Championships in La Molina, Spain.
It's good to be in first place again and I like the way I'm improving race after race, Ricker said. I would have liked to have Dominique (Maltais) with me and Michelle in the finals.
Maltais, from Petite-Rivi猫re-St-Fran莽ois, Que., is the World Cup points leader in the event. She made a mistake in her semifinal heat and failed to qualify for the finals on Tuesday. She eventually finished seventh.
Former 麻豆社国产resident Rob Fagan was the top Canadian in the men's event, finishing 17th.
