VANCOUVER -- Three-time Olympian Maelle Ricker will lead Canadas snowboard team at the Sochi Games. Ricker, a 2010 gold medallist in snowboard cross, was among five competitors named to the team Friday. The remainder of the squad will be unveiled Jan. 21 in Quebec City. "We definitely have an amazing group and an amazing team and to be a part of it is great," said the 35-year-old from of West Vancouver, B.C. "The team is doing great. "We have strong athletes in all the disciplines and Im very honoured and excited." Also named Friday were first-time Olympians Mark McMorris of Regina, Sebastien Toutant of LAssomption, Que., Spencer OBrien of Courtenay, B.C., and Chris Robanske of Calgary. "It feels amazing," said McMorris. "Its going to be a fun time. Ive been preparing like a mad man and I think Im ready." McMorris, Toutant and OBrien will all compete in the slopestyle event -- which is making its Olympic debut in Sochi -- while Ricker and Robanske are entered in snowboard cross. Canada won 26 medals at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and has set a lofty goal of finishing first in the overall medal count in Sochi. "If we say we dont want to be No. 1, were striving for mediocrity and were not going to do that. We will strive to be the best," said Canadian chef de mission Steve Podborski, who won bronze in mens downhill at the 1980 Olympics. "When we went into (the 2006 Games), we had no notion that we could strive to be No. 1 and now we are looking at that. "So why not? Its going to be tough, maybe impossible, but you strive for impossible dreams." If its going to happen, Canada will in all likelihood need big performances from its snowboard team. Canadian snowboarders claimed three medals in 2010, with Ricker and Jasey-Jay Anderson capturing gold medals, while Mike Robertston won a silver. "I would love to perform at my best (again)," said Ricker. "Definitely every time I put my snowboard on thats what Im aiming to do and hopefully we get some good results because of it." McMorris, viewed as one of the favourites in slopestyle, doesnt feel any added pressure with Canada looking to top the medal standings. "Whenever anybody looks at you to win theres pressure," said the laid-back 20-year-old. "Ive been able to have a lot of success over the last three years and consistently podium or win events. "Im expecting to go over there and do just that." The 2014 Games begin on Feb. 7. Victor Martinez Jersey . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. James McCann Tigers Jersey . 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Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda.Joe Allen is relishing the more advanced role that has seen him become an unlikely goalscoring hero since his switch to Stoke City this season. The Welshman had traditionally been a more defensive-minded player during his time at previous clubs Swansea and Liverpool, but he has already netted four times in nine Premier League appearances for the Potters - as many as he managed in four years at Anfield.Allen, 26, who faces former club Swansea on Monday Night Football, told Sky Sports that Mark Hughes decision to move him into a No 10 role is the primary reason behind his new prowess. Stoke vs Swansea October 31, 2016, 7:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass I think the biggest change has been the position, said Allen. Obviously things seem to have fallen my way as well but Ive been given a much more advanced role here, which means Im getting myself into more goal-scoring positions. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Weve also got players in this team with creativity, and theyve been able to put a few things on a plate for me. Im obviously not the type of player who will tower over and score headers or be a handful for centre-halves, but there are different ways of picking up goals and theyre the type [Ive been scoring] recently.The way the team has been set up provides a platform for the likes of me, with Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri roaming on the left and right, and that ability to intercchange has been one of the reasons its worked.dddddddddddd Allen evades a sliding challenge from Dider Ndong of Sunderland Stoke failed to win any of their first seven Premier League games of the season, but their recent upturn in form has also seen a dramatic improvement from the likes of Arnautovic and Shaqiri - the latter of whom scored a stunning brace in the 2-0 win over Hull last weekend.And Allen believes that his attacking midfield partners are as good as anyone else in the country on their day.I had the chance to work at a club like Liverpool, but in both Marko and Shaqiri youve got players who technically are right up there, said the Welshman. When the pair of them are hot theyre as dangerous as anyone in the league.It was one of the reasons I was excited to join Stoke, as I looked from the outside at the players they had and thought I could see the team doing a lot of damage as the season went on. Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City celebrates scoring his teams second goal against Hull Stoke host Allens former club Swansea on Monday Night Football, and the midfielder admitted it can feel a bit strange to play against the side he was at from the age of nine until his move to Liverpool in 2012. However, he insisted that connection has never hindered his performances against them.Its a fixture I always look out for because theyre still my team and I always want them to do really well, bar when I play against them! he said.The build-up to the game is always a little strange, but as soon as Ive got out there on the pitch its never something thats affected my emotions or how I play.I think itll be a good match, and [hopefully] with the run and momentum weve built up in the last couple of weeks its a good chance for us to get three points. Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '