Kurt Browning taking time out to celebrate

TORONTO-The future holds some well-deserved rest for Canada's 1-2 punch in the world of figure skating.

A weary Kurt Brwoning, who won his fourth world championship gold medal in Prague last week, and Elvis Stojko, the silver medalist, returned home Monday to a delighted gathering of family and fans at Pearson International Airport.

"I'm going to kick back really hard for about five days and have some fun with some friends," said Browning, wearing a baseball cap and Canada team bomber jacket. "Then I go into Vancouver to start rehearsal for Stars on Ice (April 8th), but for the next little while it's just celebrating."

For Browning, who had considered a professional career a year ago, the recent world championships are "sort of going to go right up in front."

"Just because, last year, there was a chance that maybe my skating career would be taken away from me," said Browning, referring to a back injury suffered before last year's championship.

"I took a big risk and I decided to skate amateur again, instead of just turning professional like I thought I was going to do. I didn't even have a clean shot at having my Canadian title back with Elvis being so tough in my own country."

"And then to come home like this is just the icing on the cake--I can't tell you how I feel," added the 26-year-old native of Caroline, Alta.

For Stojko, who overcame a fifth-place finish in the short program and a stomach virus to earn a spot on the medal podium, it was sweet memory.

Stojko's parents, Steve and Irene, who were in Prague to see their 20-year-old son skate, couldn't be prouder.

"I think they're going to have to invent some new words to describe how parents feel, because I can't find any right now," said Steve.

"Just before Elvis skated the long program, he and Kurt met at the centre of the rink and hugged each other. That was the best. I just couldn't hold my feelings back."

Stojko, of Richmond Hill, Ont., didn't have much luck with the food in Prague. After last Wednesday's short program, Stojko collapsed in a Prague restaurant and had to be taken to hopsital, said his father.

"He was really sick and he came through, " said the elder Stojko. "He didn't want anyone to know he was sick."

But Stojko found a remedy.

"I definitely lost some weight, but I found this little pizza place just around the corner form our hotel; some spaghetti and pizza," said Stojko, his eyes lighting up.

On the menu for the celebratory dinner last night at the Stojko home: home-delivered pizza and champagne.