Kurt Browning

For the Florida politician, see Kurt S. Browning.
Kurt Browning

Browning skates during the 2000 Stars on Ice tour
Personal information
Country represented  Canada
Born (1966-06-18) June 18, 1966
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Kurt Browning in Art on Ice 2014.

Kurt Browning, CM (born June 18, 1966) is a Canadian figure skater, choreographer and commentator. He is a four-time World Champion and four-time Canadian national champion.

Career

Browning was both Canadian figure skating champion and World Champion four times. He represented Canada in three Winter Olympics, 1988 (finishing 8th overall), 1992 (6th) and 1994 (5th), and earned the privilege of carrying the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Norway. Browning's other achievements include three Canadian Professional Championships, three World Professional Championships, a Lou Marsh Trophy for top Canadian Athlete (in 1990),[2] Lionel Conacher Award winner (1990 and 1991),[2] Order of Canada recipient (in 1990), an American Skating World Professional Skater of the Year Award (in 1998), and a Gustav Lussi Award from the Professional Skaters' Association (in 2001).

On March 25, 1988, at the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Browning landed the first ratified quadruple jump (a toe loop) in competition.[3] This accomplishment is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Josef Sabovcik had previously landed a quad toe loop at the 1986 European Championships which was recognized at the event but then ruled invalid three weeks later.[4] Browning later said, "I remember that there were a few people landing the jump (in practice) long before I did, and by watching them I was inspired to try it myself. After landing it, I certainly expected more skaters to start doing it in competition. I was surprised in the next few years when that really did not happen."[4] Browning is also known for his footwork.

He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and Canada's Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000.[5] He was honoured with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2001.[6] He also appeared in the 2006 Fox television program Skating with Celebrities. Starting in 2009, he was the co-host of Battle of the Blades.

As a professional skater, Browning has had a long rivalry with Brian Boitano. At the 2006 Ice Wars competition, Browning narrowly defeated Boitano. As a commentator, Browning has made frequent appearances since turning professional in 1994. He has been a regular colour commentator for the CBC at major skating events since 2006.

As a choreographer, he has choreographed programs for many figure skaters including:

He also co-directed and choreographed the 2011-2012 Stars on Ice tour.[11][12]

Personal life

Browning was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and raised in Caroline. He married Sonia Rodriguez, a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, on June 30, 1996. Their first son, Gabriel, was born on July 12, 2003 and their second son, Dillon, was born on August 14, 2007.

Browning's home in the Forest Hill area of Toronto suffered a fire on August 18, 2010.[13][14]

Competitive highlights

International
Event 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94
Olympics 8th 6th 5th
Worlds 15th 6th 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st
Goodwill Games 1st
Int. de Paris 1st
Nations Cup 1st
NHK Trophy 7th 3rd 3rd
Skate America 8th 3rd
Skate Canada 4th 1st 1st 1st
St. Ivel 2nd 1st
Nebelhorn 3rd
St. Gervais 2nd 2nd
National
Canadian Champ. 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd

References

  1. ↑ "Kurt Browning". Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Kurt Browning". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  3. ↑ "A Quadruple Jump on Ice". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 26, 1988. Retrieved October 14, 2007.
  4. 1 2 "The quad: Skating's evolution is for more revolution". CBS Sports. December 2, 1999. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  5. ↑ "2000 Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame Induction". Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Kurt Browning". Canada's Walk of Fame. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Kurt Browning Profile". The Kurt Files. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ Tyan, Tina (August 2, 2014). "Kurt Browning - twenty years a pro and still going strong". Absolute Skating.
  9. ↑ Bangs, Kathleen (December 24, 2007). "Q&A with French champion Brian Joubert". Ice Network.
  10. ↑ "Tugba KARADEMIR: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
  11. ↑ Tyan, Tina (September 20, 2012). "Kurt Browning had a vision - the making of the 2012 Stars on Ice show". Absolute Skating.
  12. ↑ Tyan, Tina (September 20, 2012). ""Love 'n Life" - Kurt Browning on choreographing Stars on Ice". Absolute Skating.
  13. ↑ Lamberti, Rob (August 18, 2010). "Kurt Browning's Toronto mansion on fire". Canoe.ca. QMI Agency.
  14. ↑ Kelly, Cathal (August 19, 2010). "How to dry your car seats without using a leaf blower". The Star (Toronto).

External links

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