The IIHF sanctioned the first official Women's World Championship, held in 1990 and played in Ottawa. Canada and the United States easily dispatched their European rivals to reach the gold medal final, which Canada won by a 5–2 score. James scored the first goal in the tournament's history, and 11 overall. She tied American Cindy Curley for the tournament lead which, along with The USA's Krissy Wendell in 2000, stands as the record for most goals by one player in one tournament, through 2012.