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Browning hopes his influence pays off for Joubert
| Source: |
Globe and Mail |
| Date: |
March 21, 2007 |
| Author: |
Beverley Smith |
TOKYO - It seemed an interesting meeting of the minds when four-time
world champion Kurt Browning spent a week with young French star Brian
Joubert last summer.
"We hardly knew each other,'' said Browning after watching Joubert win
the mens' short program at the world figure skating championships on
Wednesday. "He had never seen me skate until he showed up.
"You mean you've never seen me skate live?'' queried Browning, who won
world titles in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993. Joubert would have been
nine years old when Browning won his final title.
Much to Browning's disbelief, Joubert replied: "No, I never see you
skate at all.''
"What are you doing in my living room?'' Browning thought. "You know
nothing about me.''
"When I interview with you in Calgary [at the 2006 world
championships, where Browning was a TV commentator], you seem nice,''
Joubert replied simply.
"Okay, let's go,'' Browning said. Browning designed the choreography
for one of Joubert's programs.
The incident summed up Joubert perfectly, Browning said. "He's very
calm and it's not a big deal. He doesn't work more into the batter
than is already there.''
"He steps on the ice without a lot of clutter,'' Browning said. "He's
an athlete who wants to win. So we need to make him a little more
versatile as a figure skater. He's a hell of an athlete.''
Browning told Joubert that he considered him the king of the jumpers
right now, unless Olympic champion Evgeny Plushenko comes back from
his wanderings, seeking public office in Russia.
Joubert's current competitors aren't likely to be able to improve to
Joubert's level in the jumping department, Browning advised him. But
if Joubert could improve his non-jumping elements, he could leave the
competition behind.
"In the next three years, you're going to improve,'' Browning said.
"But those other guys? They're not going to get a whole lot better.
They might get hurt. You're in a good place. You should work hard on
that second mark, start risking a few things, take some dance classes,
I don't know.''
In one week, Browning said he could not improve Joubert, but hopefully
he could influence him.
Browning helped Joubert in another way. Last summer, Joubert was short
of money because "he was having trouble with his federation.''
Browning paid for a couple of days for a hotel room in Toronto, and
then invited him to stay at his home. He also paid for the music
editing .
"He was fun and he's a good kid and I wish him all the best,''
Browning said.
"Last year when he was second, I thought, next year he will probably
win. We'll see.''
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