Kurt BrowningCM (born June 18, 1966) is a Canadian figure skater, choreographer and commentator. He is the first skater to land a ratified quadruple jump in competition. He is a four-time World Champion and Canadian national champion.
Career
Kurt Browning represented Canada in three Winter Olympics, 1988 (finishing 8th overall), 1992 (6th) and 1994 (5th).[citation needed] Browning won the Canadian novice championships in 1983 and was the Canadian junior champion in 1985. He was the senior champion of Canada four times and came in second place three times. He won the World Championships four times, in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993.[2] He came in second place at Worlds in 1992 due to a severe back injury that "had a particularly negative effect on his Olympic bid".[2] He came in fifth place at the 1994 Winter Olympics.[2] He 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.[citation needed]
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.[3] 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.[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 intricate, fast, often lighthearted footwork.[5][6] Browning has used percussive pop instrumentals in his programs; for example, he used "Bonzo's Montreux" by Led Zeppelin in 1993. He interpreted the music by punching his fists and frequently running across the ice. The following season he used "St. Louis Blues," wearing a tight black t-shirt, stretch pants, and belt.[7] He also raised his fists "in a biceps-flexing muscle pose"[7] and included humor by emulating laughter with upper body movements, skated in time to descending saxophone notes and by pointing to the audience during his footwork sequence.[8]
As figure skating historian James R. Hines has stated, "Browning is remembered for outstanding interpretative programs".[2] For example, Hines calls Browning's free skating program in 1993, set to music from the film Casablanca and choreographed by Sandra Bezic, "is most memorable".[2] He portrayed Rick, Humphrey Bogart's character, and like Bogart, wore a white dinner jacket.[2] One of Browning's iconic programs is "Singin' in the Rain", where he emulates Gene Kelly's dancing in the film. Choreographed by Bezic[9] and debuted in a CBC-TV special in 1994,[10] this program is still asked to be performed at ice shows after 20 years.[11] He has also appeared in made-for-television films and toured with Stars on Ice.[2]
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 was awarded with a Lou Marsh Trophy for top Canadian Athlete (in 1990),[18]Lionel Conacher Awards (1990 and 1991),[19] an American Skating World Professional Skater of the Year Award (in 1998), and a Gustav Lussi Award from the Professional Skaters' Association (in 2001).
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. They are now divorced.[25]
Browning's home in the Forest Hill area of Toronto suffered a fire on August 18, 2010.[26]
^ abKestnbaum, Ellyn (2003). Culture on Ice: Figure Skating and Cultural Meaning. Middleton, Connecticut: Wesleyan Publishing Press. p. 187. ISBN0-8195-6641-1.
