Family First

While four-time World Men's Champion, three-time World Professional Champion Kurt Browning, of Canada, is unquestionably looking forward to another season with Stars on Ice, he is admittedly taking a different approach to the rest of his schedule.

"Over the past two years, it hasn't been real smooth with my family," acknowledges Browning, whose mother, Neva, passed away last spring. "You get older and you think, Skating has been really good to me. To some people it hasn't been fair at all. To me, its been really good - career-wise and financially. I looked at my schedule for the past two years, and it was crazy. I put some money in the bank, and I skated well while I did it. I don't think I compromised myself. But I have pulled back this year, simply because I want to be home more."

Browning's wife of four years, Sonia Rodriguez, has been promoted to principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. The elevated status precludes her traveling with him to many events. He will do just three competitions and one show prior to commencing the Stars on Ice tour in December.

Browning, 34, offered reflection on his mother's impact on the skating world.

"I think Mom had her own fanbase," he noted. "It was a small one, but she got a lot of mail, and she answered a lot of mail. She enjoyed meeting people. She really enjoyed what figure skating brought to her life. Not because of what her son accomplished, but more of what happened to all of us because of it. That made her very popular with people who enjoyed skating as well."

Time with family was very much a part of Browning's summer. His father, Dewey, came for a visit to Toronto.

Skating still occupies a great deal of Browning's thoughts. He hopes to develop another television project, this one to include Rodriguez. "She's such a talent, and it would be fun to do something together - both for us personally and, I think, for the audience," he said.

In keeping with a more home-oriented philosophy, Browning has accepted a new position with the Granite Club in Toronto, where he trains. The Granite Club, established in 1875, encompasses a variety of sports - from skating to fitness to tennis and golf. It's private and has a reputation as an exclusive club. But the goal is to attract more elite figure skaters to train there, and that's where Browning comes in.

"It's a fantastic facility," Browning said. "They're really opening up their doors, and they're trying to encourage their athletes to be more competitive. They're opening up people's eyes to the fact that we have great instructors and great trainers and perfect ice."

For more information on the Granite Club, contact Gary Karon, athletic team leader, at 416-446-4412.