Maëlle Ricker injures wrist, opts for surgery before Sochi Olympics

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      Canadian star snowboarder Maëlle Ricker has suffered a wrist injury, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she won't compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

      According to Canada Snowboard, the 2010 Olympic gold medallist was injured during pre-Olympic snowboard cross training in Aspen, Colorado, today (January 28). Ricker then chose to undergo surgery in Vail.

      "While the timing of this injury is very unfortunate, we know that Maelle is an incredibly resilient athlete that has battled back from several injuries over her career to accomplish great things for Canada," Steven Hills, executive director of Canada Snowboard, said in a news release. "We hope that Maelle's surgery is successful and believe that she will have every opportunity to join Team Canada in Sochi with the goal of competing in the Snowboard Cross event on February 16."

      Canada Snowboard said it would provide an update on Ricker's status following the surgery.

      Another of Canada's best medal hopes, Mark McMorris, fractured a rib in Aspen at the Winter X Games on the weekend. It's unclear whether that snowboarder will be fully recovered in time for the Olympics.

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