Olympic gold medalist Maelle Ricker of Squamish, B.C., won her second straight World Cup snowboardcross event Wednesday in Valmalenco, Italy.

Ricker, coming off a win in Stoneham, Que., qualified first before running away with the gold medal in the final, topping runner-up Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria and bronze medalist Nelly Moenne Loccoz of France.

Dominique Maltais of Petite-Rivière-St-Francois, Que., finished fourth.

Ricker has a chance to finish atop the World Cup season standings heading into the final event of the year later this week in Valmalenco.

In the men's event, Kevin Hill of Vernon, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing 29th.