Kurt Browning

Full Text COPYRIGHT Maclean Hunter Ltd. (Canada) 1995

A dynamic performer, it's Browning's charismatic boyish charm that makes him a real crowd pleaser.

With a smile and a quick wink, Kurt Browning leans across the table and confides, "It's kind of tough being surrounded by wonderfully talented, gorgeous young women. I have a lot of affection for the ladies on the ice." And then he switches gears and is once more serious and pensive.

Talking to Browning, it's clear that he's extremely confident for his 28 years, with only the occasional hint of uncertainty. He is witty and candid, yet at the same time passionately serious about his sport. He can be outspoken at times, but then worries about what he's said - he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. It is all these qualities that make Kurt Browning so utterly charming - you just can't help but like him.

Given his early life, it's surprising that Browning grew up to become a four-time world figure skating champion. Born and raised in the small farming community of Caroline, Alta., Browning was the youngest child of a hunting guide and his wife. His mother enrolled Kurt in figure skating lessons to improve his hockey skills. Browning smiles, "There's not much else to do in a rural area. If you're going to take a kid to the rink for hockey, why not figure skate too?" His attitude may have been casual, but his drive was fierce. He was the first Canadian male singles skater to win multiple world championships - in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993. He even made The Guinness Book of Records as the first skater to complete a quadruple jump in world competition. But the one honor that always eluded him was a spot on the Olympic podium. The gold medal favorite in 1992 and 1994, he is reflective about these defeats: "I was going to win the Olympics, turn pro and take on the world. But in Albertville, I was injured and had a bad skate, and I kissed the Olympic dream goodbye...In Lillehammer, I got off to a rocky start and my mind was back in Albertville. I quit fighting and let it all go in front of the whole world." Shortly afterward, he left amateur skating to turn professional.

CBC television commentator Brian Williams, one of Browning's biggest fans, says that what is most impressive about Browning is his ability to be "classy in defeat." Browning appreciates being well respected, but he does not want to be remembered for his misfortunes at the Olympics.

While he still plans to compete on the pro circuit, Browning feels that he is first and foremost a performer, as witnessed by the world in his now-famous portrayal of cool, hard-edged Rick from Casablanca, his memorable long program at the '94 Olympics. An entertainer at heart, he sees Sun Life Stars On Ice as a great opportunity to combine his love of skating with his theatrical style. vNow in his fifth year with the show, Browning talks enthusiastically about Sun Life Stars On Ice: "It's the greatest possible venue for my talent and my passion and love for skating."

Off the ice... Kurt loves "wheeling" (a.k.a. in-line skating): "I do it because it's just so much fun. People stop me at a light to tell me they recognized me from a block away by the way I skate!" On turning professional... "I think I possibly waited a year too long to leave amateur skating. But my amateur career lasted twice as long as I ever dreamed it would. My life as a professional is pretty crazy. A good way to describe me is with a phone in one hand, my daytimer in the other, my coat half on, running late for something!" Special people: * His parents * His girlfriend, Sonia * His choreographer, Sandra Bezic * His first coach, Mike Jiranek * His current coach, Louis Stong * His agent, Kevin Albrecht Favorite way to spend an evening... "A great night for me is plopped on the couch with Sonia and my cat, watching Seinfeld and Frasier."

Kurt & Elvis Stojko:

His chief competitor over the last few years, Browning is respectful of Elvis's unique style and superior jumping ability, but admits, "It's tough to watch someone take your world championship away." While they are not close friends, they have enjoyed some free time together on the road. "When we toured with Stars On Ice last year, we went in-line skating together for hours and really had a great time."

The future:

Browning is still unsure about where he's headed, but he doesn't expect to be skating at the same level in 10 years' time. He hopes to continue doing television commentating for skating events. (He worked for NBC at the 1993 world championships.)

RELATED ARTICLE: Career highs:

* The 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Browning's first Olympics, where he skated for a hometown crowd with no pressure to win a medal.

* The first quadruple jump in world competition, with his parents watching, won him a place in The Guinness Book of Records.

* Listening to 10,000 people in Halifax sing O Canada, as he stood on the podium to receive the gold medal after winning his second world title in 1990.

* The day Singin' in the Rain was filmed for his television You Must Remember This.