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Kurt Browning reflects on career and life at the cottage
Figure skating champion at his home away from home
| Source: |
County Voice Blog |
| Date: |
August 27, 2011 |
| Author: |
Joanne Irvine |
Kurt Browning's permanent residence is in Toronto, but from the sounds
of it his heart lies in the Highlands.
"We're very lucky to have access to something as wonderful as this,"
said Browning in an interview on Aug. 18 at a charity golf tournament
for Haliburton County's volunteer dental outreach. "I grew up in the
country in Alberta and coming up here keeps me sane."
The Canadian figure skating star, who currently hosts Battle of the
Blades with Ron MacLean on CBC, was featured at the event on the 17th
hole in the "beat the pro" challenge. Browning managed to perform
fairly well despite sleep deprivation and jet lag after an eight-day
trip to South Korea.
"I was doing six hours per day on the ice and skated for an audience
of 7 million people," he said, adding that the fans for the show were
unlike anything he's ever seen. "The fan base for skating there is
like The Beatles. Lots of screaming."
The 45-year-old, who possesses a professional skating career that
spans 21 years, has been cottaging near Minden for the past 10
years. His neighbours and the founding members of the volunteer dental
outreach, Bill and Lisa Kerr, convinced Browning to be part of the
event.
Browning commended the Kerr's for leading the charge on the local
project, which provides urgent dental care at no cost to low-income
residents.
"Every once in a while you need someone to take the lead, charge
forward and do that right, big thing … I didn't really know that I was
cottaging close to angels of mercy, but I guess that I am."
Though Browning doesn't get up to the area in the winter season as
much as he'd like, he does have couple of big dreams for
retirement.
"My dream would be to own my own Zamboni, zam' my lake and have
fantastic, huge skating and curling parties," he said,
grinning.
He also sees a bright future ahead for his golf game.
"If I'm lucky, I'll be golfing at Blairhampton when I'm 70."
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