Kurt Browning

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

For the Florida politician, see Kurt S. Browning.
Kurt Browning
Browning skating during the 2000 Stars on Ice tour
Personal information
Country represented Canada
Born (1966-06-18) June 18, 1966
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
ResidenceCaroline, Alberta
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Browning performing "Singin' in the Rain" in Art on Ice 2014

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 and three World Professional Championships.

On March 25, 1988, at the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Browning landed the first ratified quadruple jump, a toe loop in the competition.[2] This accomplishment is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Jozef Sabovčík 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.[3] 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."[3] Browning is also known for his intricate, fast, often lighthearted footwork.[4][5]

During his career, Browning had a long rivalry with Brian Boitano. At the 2006 Ice Wars competition, Browning narrowly defeated Boitano.

One of Browning's iconic programs is "Singin' in the Rain", where he emulates Gene Kelly's dancing in the film. Choreographed by Sandra Bezic[6] and debuted in a CBC-TV special in 1994,[7] this program is still asked to be performed at ice shows after 20 years.[8]

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.

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

He also co-directed and choreographed the 2011–12 Stars on Ice tour.[13][14]

Awards and honors

Browning was awarded with a Lou Marsh Trophy for top Canadian Athlete (in 1990),[15] Lionel Conacher Awards (1990 and 1991),[16] Order of Canada (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).

Browning was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 2000.[17] He was honored with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2001.[18] He was inducted into World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2006.[4]

Personal life

Browning was born on June 18, 1966, in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.[1] He was raised in Caroline, Alberta.

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.

Competitive highlights
International[19]
Event 85–86 86–87 87–88 88–89 89–90 90–91 91–92 92–93 93–94
Olympics8th6th5th
Worlds15th6th1st1st1st2nd1st
Goodwill Games1st
Int. de Paris1st
Nations Cup1st
NHK Trophy7th3rd3rd
Skate America8th3rd
Skate Canada4th1st1st1st
Nebelhorn Trophy3rd
St. Gervais2nd2nd
St. Ivel2nd1st
National
Canadian Champ.2nd2nd1st1st1st1st2nd

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kurt Browning". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. "A Quadruple Jump on Ice". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 26, 1988. Retrieved October 14, 2007.
  3. "The quad: Skating's evolution is for more revolution". CBS Sports. December 2, 1999. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  4. "Kurt Browning - 2006 World Hall of Fame". Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  5. Shulman, Carole (December 12, 2001). The Complete Book of Figure Skating. Human Kinetics. p. 92. ISBN 9780736035484.
  6. Browning, Kurt (September 27, 2012). "Kurt Browning returns to the world of competitive skating". CBC Sports.
  7. Nemetz, Andrea (April 20, 2013). "Skating stars wow Halifax Metro Centre crowd". The Chronicle Herald.
  8. Froneman, Kristin (November 27, 2016). "Kurt Browning spins for Holiday Festival on Ice in Vernon". The Morning Star.
  9. "Kurt Browning Profile". The Kurt Files. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  10. Tyan, Tina (August 2, 2014). "Kurt Browning - twenty years a pro and still going strong". Absolute Skating.
  11. Bangs, Kathleen (December 24, 2007). "Q&A with French champion Brian Joubert". Ice Network.
  12. "Tugba KARADEMIR: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.
  13. Tyan, Tina (September 20, 2012). "Kurt Browning had a vision - the making of the 2012 Stars on Ice show". Absolute Skating.
  14. Tyan, Tina (September 20, 2012). ""Love 'n Life" - Kurt Browning on choreographing Stars on Ice". Absolute Skating.
  15. "Kurt Browning". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  16. "Winners: Kurt Browning, Figure Skating". conacher-rosenfeld.ca. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  17. "2000 Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame Induction". Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  18. "Kurt Browning". Canada's Walk of Fame. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  19. "Kurt BROWNING". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016.
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