Montreal’s Justine Dufour-Lapointe announced herself to the world last February when she became the youngest-ever Olympic champion in moguls, at age 19. And maybe the first-ever to celebrate with air guitar.
Now 20, Dufour-Lapointe is still on a tear. She won the world championship earlier this month and she’s also the top point-getter on the women’s side of the World Cup circuit, which means she’s wearing the coveted yellow jersey as the tour makes a stop in Lake Placid this weekend. (On the men’s side, Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury has that yellow jersey).
But that’s not it: Dufour-Lapointe and fellow Canadian freestyle skiers cleaned up on a recently aired episode of CBC’s Dragon’s Den.
The youngest of three Dufour-Lapointe moguls sisters, Justine chats with Sportsnet about Lake Placid, the Canadian team, the World Championships, and how life has changed since Sochi.
Sportsnet: You’re the reigning champion in Lake Placid. What do you like about this event?
Dufour-Lapointe: It’s near to Montreal, so it’s fun because my family will come and watch. It’s pretty much the same conditions that we grew up with. It’s icy, it’s very firm. I think it’s what Canadians like and what we’re used to.
SN: Should we expect another dominant Canadian performance?
DL: I think so. The Canadian team is so strong. We have strong men and strong women. My sisters and I train so hard. For us it’s a big deal, trying to always be the three sisters on the top. Dufour-Lapointe, Dufour-Lapointe, Dufour-Lapointe. This is our goal. I think we’re really strong because we’re supporting each other. Our team is so close. That makes us united.
SN: Is Canada’s the strongest moguls ski team in the world?
DL: Right now, yes. I have the yellow bib and Mikael Kingsbury as well has the yellow bib. We’re really good right now and in second place there’s Philippe Marquis who’s also Canadian, and Chloe [Dufour-Lapointe], she’s No. 3. We’re really owning the top 3.
SN: How has life changed for you since the Olympics? You and your sisters really were Canada’s story.
DL: My schedule has changed a lot. I stay the same because I was around my family, my sisters. My mom is still my agent. That helped us a lot to stay grounded. When we got back home we had a lot of media and photo shoots. It’s stuff that I really love and enjoy. I just want to surf the wave when it’s going on. I want to be there and enjoy the ride.
SN: What was it like to win your first-ever world championship?
DL: For me, the world championship is the biggest event after the Olympics. I put a lot of energy, I focused hard this summer for that event. I think I was so prepared. I really did everything I could do to make that day work. I stayed in my zone, I stayed focused, and I think that’s why I had such a great performance. For us, it’s who’s gonna deliver the best performance at the right moment.
SN: Were you watching the Canadian men make history at worlds as well, when they swept the dual event?
DL: It was amazing. I was at the bottom. I was like, ‘Oh my god is it really happening right now?’ I went into the finish area because there was a Canadian flag on the other side. I ran through everyone, even the skier was coming down I didn’t care, I knew they should have their Canadian flag when they’re gonna win. So I run and I give it to them, and they were really happy. It was really an amazing day. It makes history and everyone will remember.
SN: What’s your goal for the rest of the season?
DL: My main goal is to keep being on top and win the Crystal Globe [awarded to the top point-getter on the World Cup circuit]. I never won a Crystal Globe, and this is my next big challenge for this year, to stay constantly on top. I think at the end that could be a big hit season.