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Finally back on Canadian soil, Kingsbury can't wait for beer and some hockey

TORONTO - It's been a whirlwind couple of months for Mikael Kingsbury that included winning an Olympic silver medal and capturing his third consecutive overall World Cup title.

Now the Canadian moguls skier can't wait to put his feet up.

"I'm a Habs fan. I love hockey," Kingsbury said. "The thing I'm most excited for is to have a full day off, have a chance to sit on my couch with a beer, because we don't drink much during the World Cup circuit. . . so just have a beer and watch hockey. I'm very excited for that."

But first, there are interviews and public appearances and the Canadian freestyle championships this weekend at Apex Resort in Penticton, B.C.

Kingsbury, and moguls sisters Justine, Chloe and Maxime Dufour-Lapointe — among Canada's biggest stories at the Sochi Olympics — finally touched down on Canadian soil on Tuesday, and did the media rounds in Toronto on Wednesday.

The foursome was at Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre — formerly Maple Leaf Gardens — to be honoured by Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.

"I want to say thanks to the City of Toronto. Even though I don't like the Leafs. You guys are very nice people," Kingsbury said, addressing the small crowd. "It's an honour just to be here in the old arena, it's perfect."

Justine Dufour-Lapointe won moguls gold at the Sochi Olympics, while 22-year-old sister Chloe captured silver, and the image of the Montreal sisters holding hands before stepping onto the medal podium will be one of the most enduring images of the Games.

Maxime, 25, was 12th in Sochi.

Last week, the sisters finished second through fourth in the season's overall World Cup moguls standings, Justine finishing second, followed by Chloe and Maxime.

Justine turned 20 on Tuesday, and had celebrated her birthday with her sisters on Monday in London.

"We went on the Harry Potter Tour, I felt like I was 12 years old, I had my balloon, my hat, it was awesome," Justine said. "We had a great dinner after. My sisters always knows how to give me nice birthdays."

Kingsbury, a 21-year-old from Deux-Montagnes, Que., finished second to Canadian teammate Alexandre Bilodeau at the Sochi Olympics then claimed his third straight Crystal Globe as the season World Cup winner.

Kingsbury's mom Julie Thibodeau was by his side for Wednesday's hectic day of appearances.

"My mom, she missed me, so she drove from Montreal, picked me up at the airport here," he said. "So it's cool to spend two days with her. I didn't see her much at the Olympics and just to see her here, I miss her also."

The foursome left their hotel for their first interview at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, and their day wasn't scheduled to end until well after the dinner hour.

"Today is our first day, 24 hours in Canada, so I think it's starting (to hit us), realizing the impact that we created at the Games," Justine Dufour-Lapointe said. "I think it's cool actually. I'm really excited of this new title, or this new life. But at some point it won't change who we are.

"I think we're simple girls, who love normal things like anyone — we have now this thing around our neck," she added, holding up her Olympic medal.

Kingsbury and the sisters know their schedules will be even busier once they're back in Montreal. Kingsbury is excited about an upcoming appearance at a Montreal Canadiens game.

"There are awesome opportunities and we're open to them," Maxime said about appearances and potential sponsors. "We just want to make sure we're making the right decisions and following our true value like we always did. I think the fuss is all about the attention, but deep down we're still the same girls and sticking with family values and what represents us."

News from © The Canadian Press, 2014
The Canadian Press

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