Ricker and Vaultier claims World Cup snowboardcross wins

CANADA'S Maelle Ricker started her Olympic campaign in style as she claimed her 13th World Cup snowboard cross victory in Colorado.

 
SOARING HIGH: Maelle Ricker, Dominique Maltais, Simona Meiler and Tanja Frieden race down the track during the women's final at the World Cup snowboarding in Telluride (Getty Images)

The 31-year old, a two-times X-Games champion, who was fourth at the 2006 Olympics, was in dominant form, winning her quarter-final and semi on route to a commanding victory over a technical course. 

Switzerland's Simona Meiler claimed second while Dominique Maltais joined team-mate and World Cup leader Ricker on the podium.

However, there was disappointment for Great Britain's Zoe Gillings, who finished 18th - meaning she failed to make the quarter-finals by two places.

"I'm really disappointed with the result," she admitted.

"I thought I'd done enough to qualify. It shows how tight the competition is and how tough the Olympics will be."

France's Pierre Vaultier won the men's event ahead of Canada's Robert Fagan and American Ross Powers. Great Britain's Nicholas Dudar was a distant 64th.