X-GAMES. Bulgarian snowboarder Alexandra Jekova won the second place in the snowbord cross race at the extreme Winter X Games in Aspen, USA. "One of my childhood dreams came true", commented the Bulgarian, adding "I'm looking forward with the hope to become ever faster."

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Silver medal winner Alexandra Jekova during the Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. .(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Canadian Dominique Maltais won the gold medal, while another Canadian Maelle Ricker became third.

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. (L to R) Alexandra Jekova, Dominique Maltais and Maelle Ricker..(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

US snowboard rider and 7-time Winter X Games winner Lindsay Jacobellis had to stay out of the 2012 edition due to an injury.

A first-time gold winner at the X Games, Dominique Maltais grabbed the first place with confidence, leaving Jekova and Ricker behind, finishing at 1:31.6, almost 2 full seconds ahead.

The second and third had to face each other in a hard back-and-forth battle, which was in the end won by Bulgarian Jekova.

Novinite.com
January 29, 2012

Dominique Maltais wins Snowboarder X

ASPEN, Colo. -- Canadian rider Dominique Maltais won the Women's Snowboarder X finals on Saturday at Winter X Games 2012, beating out Bulgarian rider Alexandra Jekova and Canadian rider Maelle Ricker.

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. (L to R) Alexandra Jekova, Dominique Maltais and Maelle Ricker..(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Women's Snowboarder X awards during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. (L to R) Alexandra Jekova, Dominique Maltais and Maelle Ricker..(Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Silver medal winner Alexandra Jekova during the Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. .(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Although this is her first Winter X Games medal, Maltais has been dominating the sport elsewhere: She won her second FIS World Cup title in 2011 and is known for her strength on longer courses, such as the one here at Buttermilk. She was the No. 1 qualifier headed into Saturday's competition.

"I like speed, I like the course," Maltais said after Saturday's finals. "I like long courses, especially. I really wanted to make the podium, and I'm really happy to finish on the first step."

Maltais held the lead throughout the final race, leaving a battle for second and third place between Jekova and Ricker as they left the rest of the pack behind.

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Snowboarders competing in Women's Snowboarder X Final during Winter X Games Aspen 2012..(Photo by Robert Beck / ESPN Images)

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Dominique Maltais competing in Women's Snowboarder X Final during Winter X Games Aspen 2012..(Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

Ricker has been a Winter X Games competitor since 1999, when she won her first of two Snowboarder X gold medals, and was the 2010 Winter Olympic snowboard cross champ in Vancouver. She skipped Winter X Games that year to focus on her Olympic training and missed Winter X 2011 after breaking her hand and injuring her shoulder during the 2011 World Championships. Her return to Winter X -- and to the podium -- this year was much anticipated.

"It's tough; It's a big drafting game," said Ricker, referring to the back-and-forth battle with Jekova toward the end of the course. "It's hard work, but it's tons of fun. It's really exciting."

By Colin Bane
XGames.com
January 28, 2012

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Silver medal winner Alexandra Jekova during the Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. .(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Silver medal winner Alexandra Jekova during the Women's Snowboarder X Medal Ceremony during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. .(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Aspen, Co - 28, JANUARY 2012 - Buttermilk Mountain: Women's Snowboarder X awards during Winter X Games Aspen 2012. (L to R) Alexandra Jekova, Dominique Maltais and Maelle Ricker..(Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

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